It's a big week for American earnings and Apple is among those reporting.

The New Zealand dollar rose more than half a US cent after government figures showed the most Americans since January filed for an unemployment benefit last week, while Australian job numbers grew more than forecast in March.

MARKET CLOSE: US stocks rose, ending a three-day run of losses that took 3% off the blue chip Dow index.

Stocks on Wall Street extended their rally to a fourth, ending the week 3% higher as investors focused on US economic policy.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average briefly slipped into the red late in the session during a speech by President Obama calling for further action on banking regulation, health-care reform and other issues.

But it recovered to end with a modest gain, up 9.45 points, or 0.1%, at 10,402.35.

Stocks on Wall Street advanced for a second day as housing and industrial data showed improvements and companies posted strong earnings.

US January industrial production came in slightly better than expected as the factory sector paces the recovery.

Housing starts climbed 2.8% January, slightly higher than expected and the strongest rise since July 2009.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 40.43 points, or 0.4%, higher at 10,309.24.

Stocks on Wall Street rallied sharply after the US economy showed a return to growth, giving the blue chip index its biggest one-day gain in three months. 

The government's first estimate on third-quarter gross domestic product rose at a seasonally adjusted 3.5% annual rate in July through September. This compared with consensus predictions of a 3.2% rise.

The growth was driven by consumer spending, which rose 3.4% in the third quarter.