US markets advancing firmly after German data, HP

US shares are posting strong gains on Friday, bolstered by positive German data from the IFO series and results above expectations from Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ), in a context where traders continue to debate the imminence of a correction lower. The US Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against its major rivals, is trading in a narrow range reflecting the directionless prevailing in the markets, currently hovering over the mid 81.00s.
At the moment, the DownJones is advancing 0.76%, seconded by the S&P500 and the Nasdaq, up 0.64% and 0.72%, respectively.

Equity markets in Euroland closed with strong gains, buoyed by German better prospects from the IFO indicator. The French benchmark led the flock, gaining 2.25%, followed by the IBEX35, 2.05% and the DAX 1.03%.
The single currency spent most of the session trading below the key resistance at 1.3200, failing to break the dull in the market, as traders shift their attention to the Italian elections on Sunday.

Commodities are trading mixed in the last trading day of the week, with the barrel of WTI recovering from recent losses, advancing 0.22% at $93.04 while the ounce of the precious metal is resuming its recent bearishness, dropping 0.42% at $1571