U.S. stocks opened higher on Monday as stronger economic data from China fueled optimism that the worst of the global recession was past, even as General Motors filed for bankruptcy.

* Cisco Systems Inc , Travelers Cos Inc to replace General Motors Corp , Citigroup Inc in the Dow industrials.

* The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 102.51 points, or 1.21 percent, to 8,602.84. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 11.83 points, or 1.29 percent, to 930.97. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 23 points, or 1.3 percent, to 1,797.