Around the World's Markets: New York

US STOCKS were sharply higher in late morning trading after the latest economic data fuelled a rally with particular strength in technology, finance and retailing.

The Dow Jones was up 121 points, or 1.14 per cent, at 10,760. The Nasdaq, which posted its fifth consecutive record close on Thursday, was up 49 points, or 1.63 per cent, at 3,105. Gains were fuelled as October non- farm payrolls grew by 310,000, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics.