• U.S. stocks leapt yesterday, with the Nasdaq Composite finishing above 3 000 for the first time in 11 years, after J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. hiked its dividend, retail sales climbed and the Federal Reserve held rates at record lows. European stock markets rallied yesterday, inspired by gains on Wall Street and a surprise jump in German economic sentiment. Asia markets jumped this morning, with Japan leading gains for the region as a weaker yen provided a tailwind for Tokyo-listed shares.