Around the World's Markets: New York

WALL STREET shrugged off economic data showing personal spending in October surged by twice the expected amount to send shares up in a half-day, post-holiday session.

By late morning the Dow Jones had risen 42 points, or 0.38 per cent, to 11,050. The Nasdaq was up 40 points, or 1.17 per cent, at 3,460.

Personal spending, which accounts for two-thirds of national economic activity, rose 0.6 per cent in October.