Stocks climb on hopes for Greece debt assistance

(AP) — Stocks are surging on hope that the European Union will help Greece manage its growing debt burden.

The Dow Jones industrial average is back above 10,000 Tuesady a day after closing below that threshold for the first time in three months.

Word that European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet has shortened his travel plans to attend an EU summit on Thursday is boosting confidence that European officials will move strongly to address the troubles in Greece.

Investors are worried that Greece's debt problems could spread to other weak European economies.

At midday, the Dow Jones industrial average is up 142 at 10,051. The Standard & Poor's 500 index is up 12 at 1,068, while the Nasdaq composite index is up 20 at 2,146.