Stocks opened higher on Tuesday as expectations grew that a default of Greek debt could be avoided and sovereign risk in other euro zone countries could be contained.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 43.79 points, or 0.36 percent, at 12,124.17. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> added 5.39 points, or 0.42 percent, at 1,283.75. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> put on 7.66 points, or 0.29 percent, at 2,637.32.

(Reporting by Ryan Vlastelica)