In its monthly manufacturing survey, the New York Fed said the general business conditions index for the Empire State rose 7 points to 18.9, its highest level since late 2007. The Commerce Department said retail sales rose 2.7 percent in August. The Labor Department said producer prices rose 1.7 percent after falling 0.9 percent in July.
In early afternoon trading, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 56.31 points, 0.58 percent, to 9,683.63. The Standard & Poor's 500 rose 0.36 percent, 3.80 points, to 1,053.14. The Nasdaq composite index added 10.33 points, 0.49 percent, to 2,102.11.
The benchmark 10-year Treasury fell 8/32 to yield 3.454 percent.
The euro rose to $1.4671, compared with Monday's $1.4621. Against the yen, the dollar rose to 90.96 yen, compared with Monday's 90.92 yen.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index added 15.56 points, 0.15 percent, to 10,217.62.
In Britain, the FTSE 100 index rose 0.46 percent, 23.28 points, to 5,042.13.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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