Stocks rose at the open on Monday as China's stronger trade figures fueled optimism in the global recovery and as investors anticipated a positive start to the earnings season with a report from Alcoa Inc due later in the day.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 21.84 points, or 0.21 percent, to 10,640.03. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 4.11 points, or 0.36 percent, to 1,149.09. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 6.89 points, or 0.30 percent, at 2,324.06.

(Reporting by Leah Schnurr; Editing by Padraic Cassidy)

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