US equity indexes rose midday Friday as housing starts jumped while industrial production growth beat forecast and the International Monetary Fund increased its global growth estimate for this year.

The Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.5% to 19,630.1, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 1% to 43,586.7 and the S&P 500 climbed 1.1% to 6,003.3. All sectors except healthcare were in the green intraday, with consumer discretionary, communication services, and technology leading the gainers.

In economic news, housing starts in December rebounded by almost 16% to a 1.499 million annual rate, beating expectations in a Bloomberg survey for a 1.33 million rate after a decrease to a 1.294 million pace in November.

US industrial production rose by 0.9% in December, above expectations for a 0.3% increase in a Bloomberg survey and following an upwardly revised 0.2% increase in November.

The International Monetary Fund lifted its estimate for 2025 global growth, as per its World Economic Outlook released Friday. Output growth is now seen at 3.3% versus a 3.2% gain in 2024, an upward adjustment from the 3.2% growth set out in the October WEO estimate.

US Treasury yields were mixed, with the 10-year up 1.1 basis points to 4.62% and the two-year rate 3.6 basis points higher at 4.27%.

In company news, J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT) reported Q4 earnings late Thursday that rose from a year ago, but operating revenue declined. Shares slumped 6.8%, the worst performer on the S&P 500.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures fell 0.4% to $78.35 a barrel.

Price: 173.66, Change: -12.54, Percent Change: -6.73