* Global stocks rally as China, data revive recovery hopes
* Oil edges higher on economic recovery optimism
* Bonds rise as weak labor data spurs safe-haven buying
* Dollar, yen fall as data erode safe-haven demand (Updates with close of U.S. markets)
By Herbert Lash
NEW YORK, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Global stocks rallied and oil prices edged higher on Thursday after an equity rebound in China, some solid corporate results, and a bright spot in mixed U.S. economic data all helped to reassure investors about the recovery outlook.
Both the U.S. dollar and yen edged lower in thin trade as gains in global stock markets and upbeat U.S. regional manufacturing data eroded the safe-haven demand for the two currencies.
But yields on U.S. Treasury debt mostly fell in choppy trade as weak U.S. labor market data offset the surprise rise in mid-Atlantic factory activity, renewing doubts about how strong or sustained any U.S. economic rebound might be.
Crude prices rose slightly to near a seven-week high as optimism over the U.S. economy and signs of rising fuel demand outweighed the increase in new U.S. jobless claims.
Global sentiment improved after Chinese stocks <.SSEC> jumped 4.5 percent in their second-biggest daily percentage gain this year, easing concerns about an almost 20 percent slide in China's equity markets over the past two weeks.
"Investor sentiment appears to be oscillating between risk aversion and relief on a session-by-session basis," said Sreekala Kochugovindan, a strategist at Barclays Capital.
"However, the past month has been characterized by declining volumes typical of the summer holiday season. History suggests that trends established during periods of low trading volumes have swiftly petered out once volumes picked up."
World stocks as measured by MSCI <.MIWD00000PUS> were up 1.4 percent. U.S. stocks rose for a third straight session after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq suffered their worst day in about seven weeks on Monday.
Financial stocks contributed the most to gains in U.S.
stocks. Citigroup
AIG Inc
"Just the fact that the more-important jobless claims were overshadowed by the manufacturing data and rebound overseas shows how much optimism there is in the market now," said Dan Faretta, a senior market strategist at Lind-Waldock in Chicago.
The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> closed up 70.89 points, or 0.76 percent, at 9,350.05. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 10.91 points, or 1.09 percent, at 1,007.37. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 19.98 points, or 1.01 percent, at 1,989.22.
U.S. crude for September delivery
Oil markets have been tracking stocks and the U.S. dollar, as well as broad economic indicators, for signs the recession may end, which could foreshadow rebounding fuel demand.
Treasuries gains were mostly modest, with shorter maturity notes unchanged.
"The mixed news kind of leaves (Treasuries) paralyzed," said Kim Rupert, managing director of global fixed income analysis at Action Economics in San Francisco.
The benchmark 10-year note
Britain's leading share index advanced in a broad-based
rally, and European shares closed higher as construction stocks
gained after Holcim
The FTSE 100 <.FTSE> rose 1.4 percent to 4,756.58, while the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 <.FTEU3> index of top shares also closed 1.4 percent higher at 944.94 points.
Gold futures ended lower amid light trading as bullion investors focused on beaten-down gold jewelry demand, but economic uncertainties also provided underlying support.
U.S. December gold futures
The Chinese snap-back boosted Asian stocks. Japan's Nikkei average <.N225> ended 1.8 percent higher, while the MSCI benchmark of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan <.MIAPJ0000PUS> gained 1.3 percent. (Reporting by Edward Krudy, Wanfeng Zhou, Joshua Schneyerand Chris Reese in New York; Joanne Frearson and Ian Chua in London; writing by Herbert Lash; Editing by Leslie Adler)