Thursday’s international trading was boosted by positive earnings reports from the European retail sector. The major European stock indices advanced on Thursday after the European retail sector helped reverse stock market declines from earlier in the week.  Impressive quarterly earnings reports from a number of retailers raised hopes that strong consumer demand would facilitate economic recovery (NYSEARCA:VGK). As of 11:18 EST, the Euro STOXX 50 Index advanced 0. 37 percent to 2,712 – staying well above its 50-day moving average of 2,600.  The STOXX 50 is holding above its March 19 high of 2,608 although it continues to be experiencing resistance at the 2,700 level.  Its Relative Strength Index is 63.15.  The FTSE 100 Index rose 0.38 percent to 6,127 (NYSEARCA:EWU).  The German DAX Index climbed 0.42 percent to 7,723 (NYSEARCA:EWG).  France’s CAC 40 Index surged 0.74 percent to 3,735 (NYSEARCA:EWQ).  Spain’s IBEX 35 Index advanced 0.40 percent to 8,615 (NYSEARCA:EWP).  Italy’s FTSE MIB Index jumped 1.27 percent to 17,561 (NYSEARCA:EWI). As of 11:23 EST, the euro advanced 0.45 percent against the dollar, trading at $1.3349 (NYSEARCA:FXE).   EUR/USD Shoots Up on Strong Jobs, Housing Data Spain’s ten-year bond yield jumped to 5.11 percent on Thursday from Wednesday’s closing level of 5.02 percent.  Spain’s two-year bond yield advanced to 2.50 percent on Thursday from Wednesday’s closing level of 2.46 percent (NYSEARCA:EWP). Italy’s ten-year bond yield advanced to 4.21 percent on Thursday from Wednesday’s closing level of 4.20 percent (NYSEARCA:EWI). On London’s ICE Futures Europe Exchange, March futures for Brent crude oil advanced by 44 cents (0.40 percent) to $110.12/bbl. (NYSEARCA:BNO, NYSEARCA:USO). February Gold futures advanced by $2.50 (0.15 percent) to $1,685.70 per ounce (NYSEARCA:GLD).   Silver Gains 4% in the Last Week In China, stocks declined in anticipation of Friday’s release of the nation’s GDP and industrial output data. The Shanghai Composite Index sank 1.06 percent to 2,284 (NYSEARCA:FXI).  Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dipped 0.07 percent to 23,339 (NYSEARCA:EWH). In Japan, stocks rose slightly as the yen resumed its decline, despite efforts by Finance Minister Akira Amari to talk-up the value of the currency, in the face of a renewed aggressive monetary easing campaign, championed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (NYSEARCA:FXY).  The Nikkei 225 Stock Average inched upward by 0.09 percent to 10,609 (NYSEARCA:EWJ). American stock index futures were in positive territory ahead of Thursday’s opening bell after the Department of Labor’s weekly report on initial unemployment claims indicated a decline to 335,000.  Economists had been expecting a less-significant drop to 368,000 new claims.  The March 13 Dow Jones Industrials future advanced 0.39 percent to 13,490 as of 9:13 EST.  The March 13 S&P 500 future climbed 0.52 percent to 1,473 (NYSEARCA:SPY).  The March 13 Nasdaq 100 future rose 0.49 percent to 2,739. Bottom line:  Better-than-expected reports from the retail sector gave European stocks a boost on Thursday, raising hopes that strong consumer demand will help pull the Eurozone out of recession.  Sign up for Wall Street Sector Selector’s FREE Stock Market Timing Indicator!    Disclaimer: The content included herein is for educational and informational purposes only, and readers agree to Wall Street Sector Selector’s Disclaimer , Terms of Service , and Privacy Policy before accessing or using this or any other publication by Wall Street Sector Selector or Ridgeline Media Group, LLC.