Stocks rose on Tuesday after a bullish Alcoa forecast and encouraging Chinese trade data boosted the outlook for the commodities sector, signaling a stronger global economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 107.81 points, or 0.87 percent, at 12,500.50. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 12.10 points, or 0.94 percent, at 1,292.80. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 27.56 points, or 1.03 percent, at 2,704.12.

The S&P hit its highest intraday since August 1, 2011.

(Reporting By Angela Moon; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)