NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks held gains on Wednesday after data showed an improvement in construction spending while manufacturing activity expanded for the 16th consecutive month.
The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 194.85 points, or 1.77 percent, to 11,200.87. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> climbed 19.86 points, or 1.68 percent, to 1,200.41. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> rose 48.36 points, or 1.94 percent, to 2,546.59.
(Reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)