A trio of positive economic reports – from jobless claims to manufacturing - boosted Wall Street today as investors grew more confident that the economic recovery was firmly under way. The Dow Jones industrials climbed 102 points to a 19-month high.

THE recovery of the US economy is gaining momentum as investors push stock prices higher and economic indicators indicate the business climate continues to improve.

THE US dollar has posted its biggest weekly gain against the euro following indications that economic growth in Europe's leading market is stalling.