NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are moving higher after the U.S. government reported another solid month of job gains.
The strong report Friday paved the way for the Federal Reserve to begin nudging interest rates back toward normal levels at its policy meeting later this month.
Avon soared 9 percent following reports that it is considering selling its North American business.
Energy stocks fell after the price of crude took another tumble.
The Dow Jones industrial average gained 217 points, or 1.3 percent, to 17,698 as of 11:45 a.m. Eastern time.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 index climbed 21 points, or 1.1 percent, to 2,071. The Nasdaq composite increased 58 points, or 1.2 percent, to 5,096.
Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.27 percent.
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