The gains were broad-based, with all but three of the 10 S&P 500 industry sectors ending higher. Energy and other natural resources stocks were underpinned by resurgent global commodity prices as the U.S. dollar retreated.
The Federal Reserve began a two-day policy-setting meeting on Tuesday. Its policy statement is due on Wednesday around 2:15 p.m. (1815 GMT).
With no change expected in interest rates, investors probably will focus on the bank's assessment of the economic outlook, particularly after Chairman Ben Bernanke said last week that the recession was "technically" over.
The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 51.01 points, or 0.52 percent, to end at 9,829.87. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 7.00 points, or 0.66 percent, to 1,071.66 -- a fresh 11-month closing high. The Nasdaq Composite
Index <.IXIC> climbed 8.26 points, or 0.39 percent, to 2,146.30.
NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 22 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures edged lower in post-settlement trading after industry data showed that domestic crude stocks rose slightly last week, against the forecast that supplies shrank.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange at 5:15 p.m. EDT (1715 GMT), November crude
October crude
CBOT-SOYBEANS - November
SOYOIL - October
FCPO-JAKARTA, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures edged up on Friday, but were off their highs as investors squared positions in late trade, wary of exposure to possible weakness in external markets over the Eid al-Fitr Muslim holiday, traders said.
The benchmark December contract
REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets rose on Tuesday, with Thailand touching a 14-month high on demand for construction and energy stocks, but a plunge in Manila's MetroPac hit the Philippines, ending two days of gains.
Trading was generally muted, with Malaysia <.KLSE> and Indonesia <.JKSE> still closed for a long Muslim holiday.
Thailand's benchmark index <.SETI> climbed 1.6 percent, led by IRPC
Singapore's index <.FTSTI> gained 1.4 percent, with Genting Singapore
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