In New York foreign exchange trading, the dollar plunged 2.6% against the yen to 159.225 yen, its lowest since May 14, with market participants pointing to possible intervention by Japanese authorities. In the long end of the US Treasury market, the 30-year yield briefly touched 5.244%, its highest since July 2007, while the 10-year yield rose to 4.667%. US stocks soared, with Microsoft jumping more than 15% and adding 450 billion dollars to its market capitalisation, and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index surging 8.2%. Gold futures settled 1.6% higher at 4,160.60 dollars an ounce, while US WTI crude futures ended 1.03% lower at 83.59 dollars a barrel.
Microsoft CorporationMicrosoft shares surged 15% on strong earnings or positive news, adding $450 billion in market cap.