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Dow in Triple-Digit Rally - CNNMoney.com -- Stocks rallied Tuesday as better-than-expected quarterly results from Merck and Barclays reassured investors, and the weaker dollar boosted commodity prices and shares.

A bigger-than-expected rise in a measure of manufacturing activity in the New York area and some strength overseas added to the momentum.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 170 points, or 1.7%, for its biggest one-day point gain since Nov. 9. The S&P 500 index rose 19 points, or 1.8%. The Nasdaq composite rose 30 points, or 1.4%.

Treasuries End Choppy Day Higher - Bond prices ended slightly higher on Tuesday, though the market experienced some flagging demand for longer-dated bills during last week's $81 billion in auctions.

The benchmark 10-year note gained 8/32 to 99-22/32, pushing the yield down to 3.66% from 3.69% late Friday. The Treasury market was closed yesterday in observance of Presidents Day.

The 30-year bond rose 10/32 to trade at 99-28/32 and its yield was 4.63%. The 2-year note ticked up 2/32 to 100-4/32. Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions.