Markets rise after positive economic data

Markets rose on Monday.

The S&P 500 rose 0.4 percent, the STOXX Europe 600 rose 0.4 percent and the Nikkei 225 rose 0.2 percent.

Positive economic data helped boost markets.

In the US, the ISM manufacturing index rose to 60.8 in September, the highest reading since May 2004.

“The economy is doing well despite the storms,” noted Bruce Bittles, chief investment strategist at Baird.

In the euro area, the IHS Markit final manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose to 58.1 in September from 57.4 in August.

“The euro zone manufacturing sector is in fine form, and likely continued to provide firm support for GDP growth in the third quarter,” said Claus Vistesen, chief euro zone economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

The Bank of Japan's Tankan survey on business confidence showed that its index for large manufacturers rose to plus 22 in September from plus 17 in June.

“Japanese growth, as we heard, is growing well above trend, so the growth story is not a bad one,” said Mitul Kotecha, head of Asia foreign-exchange and rates strategy at Barclays.