Tuesday's midday trade: S&P 500 index rises five percent

US stocks extended their rally on Tuesday, sparked by eurozone officials' efforts to solidify the region's rescue fund in an attempt to alleviate the debt crisis. Major indexes rose for a third straight session, with the S&P 500 up more than 5 percent over the period, its largest three-day percentage gain since mid-August.
The Dow Jones industrial average gained 257.70 points, or 2.33 percent, to 11,301.56. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index climbed 26.38 points, or 2.27 percent, to 1,189.33. The Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 53.49 points, or 2.13 percent, to 2,570.18.