Stocks rose Tuesday following the previous day's stutter as more weak US data helped solidify US interest rate cut optimism and tempered nervousness over rising Japanese bond yields.

Expectations the Federal Reserve will lower borrowing costs has provided a boon to markets in the past few weeks and saw them recover early November's losses that had been stoked by fears of a tech bubble.

Bets on the central bank easing monetary policy for a third successive meeting have been rising since a number of decision-makers said protecting jobs was a bigger concern for them that keeping a lid on elevated inflation.

Those comments have been compounded by figures showing the economy -- particularly the labour market -- continues to soften while inflation appears to be stabilised for now.

The latest

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