NEW YORK - US stocks closed solidly higher for a second day running on strong Chinese economic data and greater confidence that a US military strike on Syria might be avoided. At the closing bell on Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 128.94 (0.86 per cent) to 15,192.06. The broad-based S&P 500 increased 12.36 (0.74 per cent) to 1,684.07, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index put on 22.84 (0.62 per cent) at 3,729.02. China's industrial production rose in August at its fastest rate in 17 months, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics. The data comes on the heels of strong Chinese export data on Monday. LONDON - Europe's main stock markets rebounded as investors welcomed more bright Chinese economic data and the receding threat of imminent military action against Syria. At close on Tuesday, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index was up 0.82 per cent at 6,583.99 points, while Frankfurt's DAX 30 jumped 2.06 per cent to 8,446.54 points and the CAC 40 in Paris gained 1.89 per cent to 4,116.64 points. The euro firmed to $US1.3257 from $US1.3250 late on Monday. The US dollar rose to 100.20 yen from 99.59 yen. HONG KONG - Asian markets extended gains, with investors buoyed by a string of upbeat global economic data as well as signs that a US-led strike on Syria could be averted. Buying sentiment was also boosted by a rally on Wall Street, while Japanese traders were still on a high after Tokyo's successful bid to host the Olympic Games in 2020. On Tuesday Tokyo was up 1.54 per cent, or 218.13 points, at 14,423.36, adding to its 2.48 per cent rise on Monday as Olympic-related firms enjoyed further buying. Sydney advanced 0.38 per cent, or 19.7 points, to close at 5,201.2, while Seoul added 0.98 per cent, or 19.39 points, to 1,994.06. Shanghai rose 1.15 per cent, or 25.47 points, to 2,237.98, boosted by news that industrial production in China had expanded in August at its fastest rate in more than a year. Hong Kong climbed 0.99 per cent, or 226.00 points to 22,976.65. WELLINGTON - The benchmark NZX 50 Index rose 13.738 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 4,627.757 on Tuesday.