Tuesday's early trade: stocks rise on strong data

US stocks rose on Tuesday on strong US consumer confidence data, but gains were capped after a report showed a drop in durable goods orders. Consumer confidence in the world's largest economy rose to a one-year high in February, according to a survey, as optimism about the labour market offset concerns over rising gasoline prices.
The reading is key because consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 18.92 points, or 0.15 percent, at 13,000.43. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 3.57 points, or 0.26 percent, at 1,371.16. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 19.15 points, or 0.65 percent, at 2,985.31.