Stocks rise for a third day from omicron scare, Dow gains more than 200 points; European stocks rise on signs of hope about omicron 
The major averages rose for a third day on Thursday as investors looked past earlier jitters about the spread of the omicron Covid variant. 
The Dow Jones Industrial Average added about 230 points, or 0.7%. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% and sits less than 0.4% from its record high. The Nasdaq Composite gained 1%. 
Economic data out Thursday morning showed a strong economy with improving labor and spending trends, but inflation at uncomfortable levels. 
Jobless claims for the week ended December 18 came in about as expected at 205,000. Durable goods for November rose 2.5%, compared to the 1.5% Dow Jones estimate. Personal income and spending showed increases for November. 

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed up 1.0%, with travel and leisure climbing 1.7% to lead the gains amid optimism over Covid. 
In corporate news, Ryanair on Wednesday said it was more than doubling its forecast for full-year losses, citing the emergence of travel restrictions in several big markets due to the coronavirus. Despite that forecast, the airline’s shares rose slightly on Thursday. 
Looking at other individual stocks, Germany’s United Internet fell less than 1% on Thursday after news that CEO Ralph Dommermuth has increased his equity ownership of the company to 50.1% but won’t make a voluntary acquisition offer to shareholders. 
Source: CNBC, Investing.com