Wall Street Ends Sharply Higher on Fed Hopes

Stocks shot three percent higher on Tuesday on speculation Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke would signal new help for the economy, giving investors hope the worst was over after a four-week rout.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 319.99 points, or 2.95 percent, at 11,174.64. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 38.41 points, or 3.42 percent, at 1,162.23. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 100.68 points, or 4.29 percent, at 2,446.06.

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Kenneth Barry)