THE Shanghai Composite Index rose slightly today on improved US economic data and eased worries about the European debt crisis.

The key index added 0.24 percent, or 5.21 points to 2,221.14 in the morning, after the S&P 500 jumped the most this month at 3 percent. Turnover was 24.5 billion yuan (US$ 3.84 billion), lower than yesterday.

The American Commerce Department said in a report that new house construction rose by 9.3 percent annually in November to 685,000, exceeding economists' estimates. Payrolls rose in 29 states last month, while the unemployment rate declined in 43 states, indicating the economy was recovering.

Spain beat sales targets by selling bills worth 5.64 billion euros (US$7.39 billion). Christmas retail sales in Germany may exceed last year's level with a 1.5 percent rise in revenue.