World stocks hit all-time high, tops January 2018 level

World stocks hit a record high on Thursday, passing an all-time peak set in early 2018, on investor enthusiasm the United States and China were close to an initial deal to defuse a prolonged trade war.

Shares moved sharply higher after U.S. President Donald Trump said in a tweet that the two countries were "getting VERY close to a BIG DEAL."

The MSCI all-country world index <.MIWD00000PUS>, which tracks shares in 49 countries, climbed to 551.84 points to surpass the previous record of 550.63 points set on Jan. 29, 2018.

The index has risen more than 20% this year, helped as well by a lowering of interest rates and injections of government stimulus around the world.

(Reporting by Marc Jones; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)