* All three major U.S. stock indexes gain ground
* U.S. Treasury yield curve steepens as long-dated yields rise
* European, emerging stock markets rally
* Pound rises as British parliament moves to block no-deal Brexit
* Hong Kong scraps extradition bill, boosting sentiment (Updates to market close)
By Stephen Culp
NEW YORK, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Stocks rebounded worldwide on Wednesday, and the U.S. Treasury yield curve steepened as upbeat geopolitical news and positive economic data from China helped revive risk appetite.
A parliamentary vote in Britain put the brakes on the nation's no-deal exit from the European Union, Hong Kong withdrew the contentious extradition bill that sparked recent protests and political turmoil in Italy appeared to be easing with the formation of a new coalition cabinet, all of which brought buyers back to equities markets. services sector expanded in August at its fastest pace in three months as a jump in new orders prompted the biggest hiring increase in over a year, according to the Caixin/Markit services purchasing managers index (PMI). looks like the situation in Europe might improve regarding Brexit, which is really an economic disaster," said Jim Bell, president, chief investment officer at Bell Investment Advisors in Oakland, California. "It's a refreshing development especially after September got off to a pretty grim start."
"The situation it Italy also looks to be positive," Bell added. "There seems to be a synchronized global uptick in confidence."
The U.S. trade deficit shrank in July, according to the Commerce Department, but bilateral gaps in goods trade with key partners widened. The deficit with China grew by 9.4% as the bruising Sino-U.S. trade war raged on and the deficit with the European Union hit a record high. Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI rose 237.45 points, or 0.91%, to 26,355.47, the S&P 500 .SPX gained 31.51 points, or 1.08%, to 2,937.78 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC added 102.72 points, or 1.3%, to 7,976.88. political developments in Europe and Hong Kong helped fuel a rally in European stocks, sending them to one-month highs. pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX rose 0.89% and MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe .MIWD00000PUS gained 1.18%.
Emerging market stocks rose 1.86%. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS closed 1.8% higher, while Japan's Nikkei .N225 rose 0.12%.
The U.S. Treasury yield curve was at its steepest in two weeks as two-year yields hit their lowest since September 2017 and improving risk sentiment sent longer-dated yields higher. the yield curve gets itself back to its more common upward slope, that's a response to renewed confidence globally that things could get better," Bell said.
Benchmark 10-year notes US10YT=RR last rose 2/32 in price to yield 1.4606%, from 1.466% late Tuesday.
The 30-year bond US30YT=RR last fell 9/32 in price to yield 1.9619%, from 1.95% late Tuesday.
Fresh doubts about the scale of the European Central Bank's stimulus caused the euro to rebound, while the dollar continued its retreat from a more than two-year high against a basket of major world currencies. The pound sterling recovered on efforts to avoid a no-deal Brexit. dollar index .DXY fell 0.56%, with the euro EUR= up 0.53% to $1.103.
The Japanese yen weakened 0.38% versus the greenback at 106.36 per dollar, while sterling GBP= was last trading at $1.222, up 1.13% on the day.
Oil prices rose with the tide, with WTI crude on track for its biggest daily percentage increase since June 10, boosted by easing geopolitical tensions and the positive news about China's services sector. crude futures settled up 4.3% at $56.26 per barrel, while Brent crude futures settled at $60.70 per barrel, a 4.2% increase.
Gold inched higher amid remaining economic concerns in the shadow of the U.S.-China trade war, but the precious metal still hovered below its six-year peak. gold XAU= added 0.5% to $1,553.95 an ounce.
Copper CMCU3 rose 2.51% to $5,751.00 a tonne.
Three-month aluminum on the London Metal Exchange CMAL3 rose 0.94% to $1,769.50 a tonne.
http://tmsnrt.rs/2jvdmXl GRAPHIC-World FX rates in 2019
http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh US STOCKS-Strong Chinese data, easing geopolitical worries push Wall St higher
Relief for European stocks as political tensions ease
TREASURIES-Curve steepens as risk appetite drives long-dated yields higher
Ebbing political risk lift German yields; Italy rally continues
Oil prices rise over 4% on positive economic data from China