Dow advances more than 300 points
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average extended gains Tuesday, rising more than 300 points in intraday trading, on investor optimism for a solution to Europe's sovereign debt crisis. The Dow rose 310 points, or 2.8%, to 11,354, after flirting with topping a 300-point advance for most of the trading day. The S&P 500 Index rose 30.74 points, or 2.6%, 1,193.69; and the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 69.50 points, or 2.8%, to 2,586.19 in recent activity.