国际英语新闻：U.S. stocks, listed Chinese companies rise as Dow steady above 12,000

NEW YORK, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. stocks, including leading listed Chinese companies, surged this week mainly driven by upbeat economic data.

The U.S. unemployment rate dropped sharply in January to 9 percent, the lowest since April 2009, according to a report on Friday based on a government survey that found that more than a half-million people found work.

The Institute for Supply Management said on Thursday that its index of national non-manufacturing activity rose to 59.4 in January from 57.1 in December.

Also the Commerce Department said on Thursday that total factory orders rose 0.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted 426.8 billion U.S. dollars, contrary to forecasts for a 0.5 percent decline by economists.

The Labor Department said initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 42,000 to a seasonally adjusted 415,000 last week.

Series of upbeat economic data helped stimulate investors' confident and offset the negative effect in the market by unrest in Egypt.

The Dow Jones industrial average topped 12,000 on Tuesday, the first time in the past two and half years, and clinched above that level in the next few trading days this week.

Chinese stocks rose with the big board, the NASDAQ China index (CHXN), which tracks the overall performance of Chinese stocks listed in the U.S. market, rose 11.04 points or 5.4 percent this week, to close at 214.17 on Friday.

JP Morgan maintained Overweight rating on Baidu.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU), and raised price target from 120 to 125 dollars per share.

Also, Deutsche Bank upgraded Baidu.com, Inc from Hold to Buy, and raised price target from 100 to 139 dollars per share.

The Chinese search giant reported fourth-quarter net income of 0.50 dollars per share, beating the analysts' forecast of 0.45 dollars. Revenue was 371.3 million dollars versus the 360.3 million dollars estimate.

Baidu also issued bullish guidance, anticipating more spending by advertisers. Its stocks rose 1.14 dollars or 0.98 percent this week, to close at 117.68 dollars a share on Friday.

On the list of best year-to-date performance of U.S.-listed Chinese stocks, Daqq New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) was ranked the first place, with 38 percent return. Its stock price rose 0.07 dollars this week, or 0.53 percent, to close at 13.18 dollars per share.

Jinko Solar Holding Co. (NYSE: JKS) and Sohu.com Inc. (NASDAQ: SOHU) were ranked second and third place, with a year-to-date return of 37 percent and 33 percent respectively.

Goldman Sachs maintained Neutral rating on Sohu.com Inc., and raised price target from 55 to 68 dollars per share.