Global Stocks: U.S. stock indices rose

U.S. stock indices rose on Friday as market participants thought that Bank of Japan's decision to introduce negative rates could interfere with the Federal Reserve's plans to gradually raise interest rates.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 396.66 points, or 2.5%, to 16,466.30 (+2.3% over the week; -5.5% over the month). The S&P 500 rose 46.88 points, or 2.5%, to 1,940.24 (+1.8% over the week; -5.1% over the month). The Nasdaq Composite rose 107.28 points, or 2.4%, to 4,613.95 (+0.5% over the week; -7.9% over the month).

All of the S&P's 10 sectors closed in the positive territory on Friday. However January became the worst month for the U.S. indices since 2009.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng lost 0.64%, or 1 25.16, to 19,557.95. China Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.42%, or 38.86, to 2,698.74. The Nikkei gained 1.94%, or 340.04, to 17,858.34.

Asian stock indices traded mixed. Japanese stocks rose after the Bank of Japan unexpectedly introduced negative rates on Friday. Gains in U.S. equities supported stocks as well.

Chinese stocks fell after China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing reported that the country's Manufacturing PMI declined to 49.4 in January compared to 49.7 reported previously and 49.6 expected. Meanwhile the corresponding index for the non-manufacturing sector declined to 53.5 in January from 54.4. The 50 points threshold separates contraction from expansion.