YAHOO [BRIEFING.COM]: Better-than-expected economic data from China and Australia combined with a successful Spanish bond auction and in-line to slightly better-than-expected weekly jobs data in the U.S. were good enough reasons for U.S. equity investors buy beaten down shares.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 273 points, with the S&P 500 up 31, and the Nasdaq higher by 60.

Stocks opened the day sharply higher, and drifted sideways for much of the session before extending their gains in the final hour of trading to finish at session highs. The energy sector was particularly strong with BP Plc closing up 12.7% (BP 32.92, +3.72).

Shares of Goldman Sachs (GS 133.71, -3.09) failed to participate in the rally following a FT report regarding an additional SEC inquiry into a mortgage backed security. The stock closed lower by 2.3%.

The euro continued its recent climb, regaining the 1.2100 level for the first time in a week after trading as low as 1.1877 on Monday. The pound also extended its recent gains, climbing above 1.4700 after spend some of today's session near 1.4500.

Commodities were mostly higher today led by strength in energy, with crude oil closing at 75.48 +1.10, its highest close since May 11th.

Gold grinded lower throughout the day and found support near 1118. The yellow metal continues to hover near 1120.

The industrials, led by a 4.3% gain in nickel, helped the CRB Commodities Index (+0.8%) higher today.

Energy futures, which had a 1.1% gain on the session, also contributed to the gain in the CRB Index. July crude oil futures gained 1.4% to close at $75.48, the first time crude has closed above $75 since May 12. July natural gas futures ended lower by 0.2% to $4.656 after it was unable to hold onto any of its gains following the release of this morning's inventory.

Precious metals closed the session near flat, as evidenced by the 0.1% gain. August gold futures fell 0.7% to $1222.20. July silver futures ended higher by 0.8% to $18.351.

Advancing Sectors: Industrials (+3.5%), Financials (+3.3%), Materials (+3.5%), Consumer Discretionary (+3.2%), Energy (+4.9%), Tech (+2.5%), Utilities (+2.7%), Health Care (+2.0%), Consumer Staples (+1.5%), Telecom (+2.1%)

Declining Sectors: None DJ30 +273.28 NASDAQ +59.86 SP500 +31.15 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 2256/2.14 bln/417 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 2690/1.34 bln/380