US equity markets join global risk-on rally

Following yesterday's strong gains led by Fed inaction, US equity markets joined global rally and opened higher for third straight session on Thursday. The Fed on Wednesday refrained from raising interest rates but left doors open for a rate-hike before the end of the year.

At opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial average was up 132 points to 18,425 and the S&P 500 gained 15 points to 2,178. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index rose 34 points to 5,330. 

Thursday up-move was primarily led by the prevalent risk-on mood and buoyant sentiment around crude oil prices, which lifted energy shares. Moreover, better-than-expected release of weekly jobless claims, which fell to the lowest level since July, provided an additional boost to investor sentiment and extended support to the markets. US weekly unemployment claims fell by 8K to 252K in the week ended Sept. 16, as compared to an expected rise by 2K to 262K. 

Meanwhile, the overall US Dollar Index lost additional ground and improved sentiment surrounding dollar-denominated commodities - like gold and oil. In other markets, European equities traded with strong gains and Asian markets also closed higher.