In U.S. stocks, the S&P 500.........>

US STOCKS CLOSE: In U.S. stocks, the S&P 500 closed up 0.99% a 2,452.51, after

trading in a 2,433.67 to 2,454.77 range. The S&P 500 has closed above its 55-day

moving average, around 2,449, after breaking below that mark last week.

- Monday's low of 2,417.35 was the lowest since July 11, when the index bottomed

at 2,412.79.

- At Tuesday's close, the index was up 9.5% year-to date and down 1.5% from the

life-time intraday high of 2,490.87, seen August 8.

- Market players were also keeping an eye on the Russell 2000 index, which often

leads larger stock swings.

- The index, closing up 1.08% at 1,371.54, posted a low of 1,349.35 last Friday,

which was the lowest level since April 17, when the Russell 2000 bottomed at

1,345.363.

- Earlier Tuesday, the Russell 200 topped out at 1,372.332, but remained below

its 200-day moving average, currently around 1,377. A clear-cut break above the

200-day moving average would suggest scope for additional gains.