GM, Ford shares soar on bailout optimism

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of General Motors (GM.N) and Ford Motor Co (F.N) soared on Thursday after a Senate Democratic aide said senators had reached agreement on a bipartisan auto aid deal.

GM shares jumped more than 23 percent to $3.43 on the New York Stock Exchange, while shares of Ford climbed more than 34 percent to $1.69.

The big-three U.S. automakers, including Chrysler, are pressing for a $25 billion bailout from the government to avert possible bankruptcy.

(Reporting by Ellis Mnyandu; Editing by James Dalgleish)