Stocks extended their gains and the Nasdaq rose 1 percent on Tuesday as May existing home sales came in stronger than expected.

Sales fell by 3.8 percent in May, a narrower drop than had been expected.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 74.74 points, or 0.62 percent, at 12,155.12. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 10.64 points, or 0.83 percent, at 1,289.00. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> put on 30.35 points, or 1.15 percent, at 2,660.01.

(Reporting by Ryan Vlastelica)