US stocks surge on strong manufacturing numbers

Investors sent US stocks surging today, propelling the Dow Jones industrials up more than 115 points and into the shadow of 10,000 after a pair of reports showed better-than-expected growth in the manufacturing sector and construction spending.

Investors returned to the market with enthusiasm following a holiday week of lighter trading, and the manufacturing report from the Institute for Supply Management contributed to their zeal, said Todd Leone, managing director of equity trading at SG Cowen Securities.