(AA) Stock Market News for December 2, 2010 – Market News

U.S. stocks kicked off December on a solid note, with major averages climbing at least 2%, as a batch of upbeat economic data from the United States and China helped investors set aside eurozone contagion worries. The rally was led by material and energy shares. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped almost 250 points, or 2.3%, closing the day at 11255.85. The gains, biggest since early September, came on reports that private sector employers continued to add jobs in November. A big revision to October’s private sector payroll numbers and reports of improved economic activity in 10 of the 12 Fed regions boosted investors’ belief that the economy is beginning to strengthen. The broader Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index advanced 25.52 points, or 2.2%, to 1206.07. The technology-laden Nasdaq