US stocks gained on Tuesday, getting a boost from higher earnings at Verizon Communications Inc and data showing consumer confidence strengthened. Markets have been under pressure in recent weeks on fears the solid improvement in earnings seen over the past year will run out of steam as interest rates rise and economic growth slows.
But after months of losses, investors are debating if stocks have become cheap relative to future earnings prospects and whether to bet on a rally any time soon.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 73.74 points, or 0.74 percent, to 10,035.66. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 5.3 points, or 0.49 percent, at 1,089.37. The technology-laced Nasdaq Composite Index added 14.8 points, or 0.8 percent, to 1,853.82.