<p><div class="image-container float_right" style="width:480px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/51d15261ecad04e52e000039-1200-924/birdsville-horse-races-australia.jpg?maxX=480" border="0" alt="birdsville horse races australia" width="480" /><p class="source">Peter Wallis/REUTERS</p></div></div>The first half of the year was very strong for developed <keyword id="31671" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="markets">markets</keyword>.</p>
<p>The second half of the year is now off to a good start.</p>
<p>US futures are higher by a bit over half a percent.</p>
<p>Asia rallied overnight, with Shanghai gaining 0.8%, and Japan rallying 1.3%, with both indices having been negative earlier in their respective sessions.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, European markets are generally higher, following a set of strong manufacturing reports, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/european-pmi-roundup-2013-7">particularly in peripheral countries</a>.</p>

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The Second Half Of The Year Has Begun, And Markets Are Rallying

Peter Wallis/REUTERSThe first half of the year was very strong for developed markets. The second half of the year is now off to a good start. US futures are higher by a bit over half a percent. Asia rallied overnight, with Shanghai gaining 0.8%, and Japan rallying 1.3%, with both indices having been negative earlier in their respective sessions. Meanwhile, European markets are generally higher, following a set of strong manufacturing reports, particularly in peripheral countries.

Peter Wallis/REUTERSThe first half of the year was very strong for developed markets. The second half of the year is now off to a good start.

The Second Half Of The Year Has Begun, And Markets Are Rallying

Joe Weisenthal

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