US stocks gained at midday on Tuesday as investors awaited Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan's testimony on Wednesday and welcomed media conglomerate Viacom's plan to spin off its stake in Blockbuster Inc.
Investors are waiting to hear Greenspan's comments on monetary policy and the economy to the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday, the first day of his semi-annual testimony to Congress.
The Dow Jones industrial average was up 23 points, or 0.22 percent, at 10,602. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 4 points, or 0.38 percent, to 1,144. The technology-laced Nasdaq Composite Index was up 9 points, or 0.45 percent, at 2,070.