New York: U.S. stocks jumped Wednesday on some hopeful signs that the country's struggling labour market may be improving. Weekly claims for unemployment benefits fell to their lowest level since 2008. Indicators that showed a rise in household spending and consumer confidence also helped rally investors. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 150.91 points, or 1.37 percent, to 11,187.28. The broader Standard and Poor's 500 index jumped 17.62 points, or 1.49 percent, to 1,198.35. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index leapt 48.17 points, or 1.93 percent, to 2,543.12. The gains on Wall Street erased a steep decline Tuesday, brought on by skirmishes on the Korean Peninsula, and will send investors home happy for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday Thursday, when stock markets will be closed. The positive economic indicators also provided retailers with some hope as they prepare for a critical holiday shopping season. Retailers are predicting a rise from last year, when the U.S. was just pulling out of a recession. The U.S. currency rose against the euro to 75.01 euro cents from 74.81 euro cents Tuesday. The dollar gained against the Japanese currency to 83.54 yen from 83.16 yen.