国际英语新闻：Wall Street settles at year high before Christmas break

NEW YORK, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Wall Street settled at year high on Thursday due to upbeat reports on the labor market and durable goods orders.

    The U.S. Labor Department's report showed initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell by 28,000 to a seasonally adjusted 452,000 last week. That was the lowest tally since early September 2008 and below market expectations for 470,000 new claims.

    The report also showed the number of people filing for benefits after an initial week of aid also fell to near a 15-monthlow in the week ended Dec. 12, to 5.076 million from the previous week's 5.203 million.

    The U.S. Commerce Department said Thursday orders excluding transportation surged 2.0 percent in November after falling 0.7 percent the previous month, beating market expectations.

    According to the report, non-defense capital goods orders excluding aircraft jumped 2.9 percent last month after dropping 2 percent in October while durable goods inventories fell 0.2 percent in November after being flat the prior month. Shipments increased 0.3 percent, adding to October's 0.7 percent gain.

    Travelers Cos. Alcoa Inc. and Boeing Co. led gains in the Dow Jones while health-care stocks traded flat after the Senate passed the health care bill.

    The Dow Jones average rose 53.66, or 0.51 percent to 10,520.10. The S&P 500 index was up 5.89, or 0.53 percent, to 1,126.48. The Nasdaq rose 16.05, or 0.71 percent, to 2,285.69.

    The markets will close on Friday for the Christmas holiday.