3 Big Movers Behind the Dow's Surge Today

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over daily movements, we do like to keep an eye on market changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

The Dow Jones Industrials climbed back above the 15,000 mark today, convincingly posting a nearly 1% gain in climbing more than 140 points. Macroeconomic data from China showing stability in consumer prices combined with strength in export activity helped set a positive tone for the day. Closer to home, U.S. consumer credit grew at a slower rate than expected, once again igniting uncertainty about plans for the Federal Reserve to pull back on its quantitative easing program. Nevertheless, gains weren't limited to the Dow, either, as the Nasdaq Composite hit its best level in 13 years.

Leading the Dow higher was Caterpillar , which posted a 2.6% gain. In addition to general enthusiasm about China's economic prospects, Caterpillar might have gotten a boost from good news on the homebuilding front. Although rising interest rates have raised concerns within the home-construction industry lately, Hovnanian Enterprises reported strong home prices and a big jump in its backlog. That, in turn, helped drive other homebuilders higher, and with Caterpillar's equipment being instrumental in many construction projects, a healthy housing industry combined with Chinese strength could help the stock bounce back from its declines this year.

Travelers also climbed nicely, rising 2.1%. The insurance giant has undoubtedly benefited from the almost nonexistent activity in the tropical Atlantic this year, with no storms reaching hurricane status as of today despite the typical hurricane season already being half over. That could change if Tropical Storm Humberto gains strength in the eastern Atlantic, but for now, Travelers has enjoyed the lack of huge losses that storms often cause in late summer.

Finally, IBM only gained 1.1%, but its high share price had its usual disproportionate impact on the Dow. The company made headlines with its decision to move its retiree health insurance coverage to private exchanges, giving 110,000 of its retired workers stipends to find their own care. With anticipated increases in costs for the rest of the decade, IBM's decision could have a big impact on former workers who were counting on their plan coverage as a substitute for Medicare supplemental insurance.

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The article 3 Big Movers Behind the Dow's Surge Today originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. You can follow him on Twitter @DanCaplinger. The Motley Fool owns shares of IBM. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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