Dow, S&P 500 Add To Gains Following Encouraging International News

U.S. stocks rose on Tuesday, lifting the Dow and S&P 500 to new all-time highs as investors found positives in data releases, including the NAHB Housing Market Index which rose more than expected.

In Europe, German investor confidence saw the largest increase in 11 months while European auto sales rose for the 14th consecutive month. The data sets may have helped ease investor concerns, at least temporarily, over Europe's performance.

Japan's Prime Minster Shinzo Abe announced he will delay next year's planned sales tax increase until mid 2017. At the same time, Abe called for an early election.

The Dow gained 0.23 percent, closing at 17,687.82.
The S&P 500 gained 0.51 percent, closing at 2,051.80.
The Nasdaq gained 0.67 percent, closing at 4,702.44.
Gold gained 1.04 percent, trading at $1,195.80 an ounce.
Oil lost 1.52 percent, trading at $74.51 a barrel.