On the global face US mkts end with marginal gains; Dow up 44 points & Asia trading higher; Taiwan weighted up 5.5%.

On the global face US mkts end with marginal gains; Dow up 44 points & Asia trading higher; Taiwan weighted up 5.5%. US markets rose to the highest since January, as better-than-expected reports on consumer confidence and manufacturing signaled the worst of the recession may be was over. Despite a lower start, the US stock market was able to finish a choppy trading session with modest gains, thanks largely to a rebound in energy stocks. However, trading volume was low, suggesting that many investors were sitting on the sidelines. The Dow Jones ended up 44.29 points or 0.54% at 8,212.41, the NASDAQ closed flat for the 8th straight week, gained just 2 points or 0.11% at 1719.20. Utilities, materials, energy stocks gained.