US jobs data lifts Nasdaq to 11-year high

The latest in a string of better than expected macro data from the US drove markets higher on Friday, with the Nasdaq reaching an 11-year high.

US unemployment hit a three-year low, falling from 8.5% to 8.3% in January, against expectations of no change. The rate is the lowest seen since February 2009. Non-farm payroll data showed the economy added 243,000 jobs last month, beating consensus forecasts. The S&P 500 ended the session 1.46% higher at 1,345, its fifth straight weekly gain, while the Dow was 1.23% up at 12,862, its highest closing level since May 2008. The Nasdaq climbed 1.61% higher to reach 2,906, an 11-year high for the tech index. Asian stocks built on last week’s gains following the US data, with the Nik...