Markets rise, factory indices jump in US and Europe

Markets rose on Thursday.

The S&P 500 rose 1.2 percent to a record high, the STOXX Europe 600 rose 0.6 percent and the Nikkei 225 rose 0.7 percent.

Economic data on Thursday were mostly positive.

The Institute for Supply Management's index of US manufacturing activity jumped to 64.7 last month, the highest since December 1983, from 60.8 in February.

Euro zone manufacturing activity grew at its fastest pace on record in March, with IHS Markit’s final manufacturing PMI coming in at 62.5 compared to February’s 57.9.

In China, though, the Caixin/Markit manufacturing PMI for March came in at 50.6, slightly down from February’s reading of 50.9.