US stocks gained on Tuesday after stronger-than-expected consumer confidence data lifted hopes about holiday spending, while a rise in orders for the largest manufactured goods boosted industrial stocks, including aircraft maker Boeing Inc.

Also, the Standard & Poor's index of steel makers was up 4.6 percent, and shares in US Steel Corp rose 7.9 percent to $45.83 on the New York Stock Exchange. Boeing shares gained 1.4 percent to $69.62.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 31.06 points, or 0.29 percent, at 10,921.78. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 3.78 points, or 0.30 percent, at 1,261.24. The technology-laced Nasdaq Composite Index was up 1.99 points, or 0.09 percent, at 2,241.36.

The Dow average earlier hit a nine-month high.

Copyright Reuters, 2005