Global stocks touch 8-month high

World stocks were little changed after touching an eight-month high today, while the dollar rose from the previous session's losses a day after the Federal Reserve signalled it would continue its loose monetary policy. 


US stocks were little changed after a more than 1 percent rally lifted the S&P 500 to a four-year high yesterday.

The S&P 500 is on track to close its best quarter since 2009 and its fourth straight month of gains. MSCI's main global stock index was up 0.3 percent after hitting its highest level since Aug. 1.

The Dow Jones industrial average ended down 43.90 points, or 0.33 percent, at 13,197.73. The S&P 500 Index lost 3.99 points, or 0.28 percent, to 1,412.52. The Nasdaq Composite closed down 2.22 points, or 0.07 percent, to 3,120.35

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 closed unofficially 0.5 percent lower. France's Total fell 6 percent after it said a massive gas leak in a North Sea platform may take six months to halt.

Japan's Nikkei average hit its highest closing level since a massive earthquake and tsunami triggered a radiation crisis a year ago, buoyed by indications the US Federal Reserve may keep its supportive monetary policy.

The benchmark Nikkei rose 2.4 percent, or 236.91 points, to 10,255.15, while the broader Topix also climbed 2.4 percent to 872.42.