Dow closes up

NEW YORK - Wall Street's rally has gained momentum thanks to surprisingly good earnings from some major consumer brands.

Best Buy Co., ConAgra Foods Inc., and Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. all turned in quarterly reports that beat analysts' expectations.

Strong demand for government debt at the Treasury Department's latest auction also lifted stocks. Investors had been nervous about the government's ability to fund its economic stimulus and financial bailout programs.

At the close, the Dow Jones industrial average is up about 175 points, or 2.3 percent, at 7,924. It's the highest finish in six weeks. The Standard & Poor's 500 index is up 19, or 2.3 percent, to 833. The Nasdaq composite index is up 58, or 3.8 percent, at 1,587.