Wall Street rises after Lowe’s results

Stocks opened higher on Monday as stronger-than-expected quarterly results from No. 2 U.S. home improvement chain Lowe's Cos Inc (LOW.N) boosted hopes the recession was abating and spending was stabilizing.

Positive broker comments on such stocks as Bank of America Corp (BAC.N), along with a more than 2 percent gain in oil prices, also underpinned the stock market.

The Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) rose 103.54 points, or 1.25 percent, to 8,372.18. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (.SPX) gained 12.21 points, or 1.38 percent, to 895.09. The Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC) put on 19.41 points, or 1.16 percent, to 1,699.55.