US stocks score 3-day rally on stimulus hopes

US stocks rallied for a third straight day Tuesday, buoyed by hopes for more stimulus from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank to boost weak economies. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 49.35 points (0.38 percent) at 13,166.86 in closing trade. The tech-rich Nasdaq gained 25.95 (0.87 percent) at 3,015.86, while the S&P 500-stock index rose 6.98 (0.50 percent) to 1,401.21. Stocks were driven higher "as investors speculate on upcoming stimulus measures from the ECB," Wells Fargo Advisors analysts said. "Further Fed action was also a positive catalyst after Regional President Eric Rosengren reiterated his stance to expand monetary policy."