US markets end higher led by rise in US manufacturing index

Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.40% or 52.45 points at 13264.49. Nasdaq Composite gained 0.91% or 28.13 points at 3119.7. Standard & Poor's 500 rose 0.75% or 10.57 points at 1419.04.

On economic data front, the manufacturing index gained more than expected to 53.4 in March. However, construction spending in February fell 1.1%, posting its largest drop in seven months.

In key data to watch out for in US today, factory orders are expected to gain by 1.5 % in February after falling 1% in previous month.

In the currency space, the dollar continues to trend lower, with the dollar index below 79 levels ahead of the factory orders report. Meanwhile the euro holds steady above 1.33.

In commodities, Brent crude rose over 2% yesterday to USD 125 levels as loading delays for north sea crude cargoes added to concerns about global supply disruptions and as supportive US manufacturing data countered disappointing economic figures from Europe. Brent gained over 14% in the first quarter.

From the precious metals space, gold hovers around USD 1680 levels.