US stocks score gains after upbeat data

US stocks scored modest gains Tuesday, lifted by encouraging economic data on the eve of a Federal Reserve policy meeting expected to deliver new support for growth. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 69.85 points (0.53 percent) at 13,324.14 in closing trade. The S&P 500-stock index rose 4.56 (0.32 percent) to 1,433.64, while the tech-rich Nasdaq added a scant 0.51 point (0.02 percent) at 3,104.53. Stocks made gains "after US economic reports showed the trade deficit came in smaller than expected and small business optimism improved more than projected," Charles Schwab & Co. analysts said.