Stocks rally, dollar gains on central bank stances

By Herbert Lash LONDON (Reuters) - Global equity markets surged and the dollar hit a nine-year high on Thursday, lifted by the Federal Reserve's confidence in the U.S. economy and hopes of aggressive new stimulus in Europe. Stocks on Wall Street rose about 1.7 percent and in Europe equities jumped close to 3 percent as investors' set aside fears from a few days ago that the collapse in oil prices indicated a slowing global economy. Brent oil fell and U.S. crude tipped lower, trading ne