U.S. markets gain on stronger earnings

Stronger earnings from Mattel, Coca-Cola and other big companies lifted the Standard & Poor's 500 index Tuesday for only the fourth day this month.

Mattel Inc. jumped 9.70 percent, more than any other company in the S&P. The country's biggest toy maker said net income rose because of better sales of Barbie dolls and lower advertising costs. Its stock climbed $3.01 to $34.05.

The Coca-Cola Co. posted higher income and revenue than Wall Street had expected, thanks in part to booming business overseas. Coke rose $1.21, or 1.58 percent, to $77.69.

The S&P rose 0.74 percent to 1,363.67. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 78.33 points to 12,805.54, only its third increase of the month. Concern about corporate earnings and slower economic growth have weighed on the market.

Investors kept an eye on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's first of two days of testimony before Congress Tuesday. Bernanke said weaker economic growth probably means unemployment will remain stubbornly high.

The gains were broad. All 10 industries in the S&P 500 rose, led by health care companies. The Nasdaq composite index was up 0.45 percent to 2,910.04.

-- AP