Article: World markets mixed after gloomy US economic data

World stock markets were mixed in lackluster Christmas Eve trading Wednesday, finding little holiday cheer in the latest data on the slumping U.S. economy.

Wall Street managed to shrug off readings on rising U.S. joblessness and declining consumer spending, with the Dow Jones industrial average finishing a shortened session up 48.99 points, or 0.58 percent, to 8,468.48, after falling for five straight sessions. The blue-chip index is well off its November lows, but is still down for the typically strong month of December.

The Labor Department said initial applications for unemployment benefits rose more than anticipated to a seasonally adjusted 586,000 last week. The Commerce ...

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