A surge in hiring in the world's largest economy last month drove the Nasdaq to an 11-year high as optimism grew that the labor market is on a steady path to recovery.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 153.49 points, or 1.21 percent, at 12,858.90. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 19.12 points, or 1.44 percent, at 1,344.66. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 45.66 points, or 1.60 percent, at 2,905.34.

(Reporting By Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Kenneth Barry)

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