US stocks gained ground on Tuesday, pushed higher by an encouraging advance in consumer confidence in June and a respite from record oil prices. June consumer confidence climbed to a three-year high of 105.8 and exceeded the forecast of 104 from economists polled by Reuters. The number is closely watched since consumer spending represents a large chunk of the US economy.
The Dow Jones industrial average advanced 70 points, or 0.68 percent, to 10,360.29. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index rose 8.06 points, or 0.68 percent, to 1,198.75. The technology-laced Nasdaq Composite Index gained 16.73 points, or 0.82 percent, to 2,061.93.