Wall Street surged higher today, carrying the Russell 2000 to a record close as Wall Street welcomed encouraging economic data and a continuation of double-digit corporate earnings growth.

GERMANY’S benchmark DAX Index rose for a 12th day, its longest streak in more than eight years.

Investor confidence in the United States raced ahead today as the Standard & Poor’s 500 index and Nasdaq composite index both reached four-year highs.

Car manufacturer DaimlerChrysler will keep its stake in Mitsubishi Motors despite its decision to stop pumping new money into its troubled Japanese partner, chief executive Juergen Schrempp said today.

The chief executive of DaimlerChrysler, one of the world's biggest carmakers, has no intention of stepping down, despite the failure of an alliance with Mitsubishi Motors.