US markets jump at open

US stocks opened sharply higher on Tuesday as better-than-expected Chinese and German data boosted optimism about the global economy after the S&P 500 index ended flat in 2011.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 201.17 points, or 1.65%, to 12,418.73. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index rose 22.01 points, or 1.75%, to 1,279.61. The Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 54.85 points, or 2.11%, to 2,660.00.