Stocks post early gains on last trading day of huge year

Stocks are moving higher on the last day of trading for 2013 as investors close out their portfolios and prepare for the New Year.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 35 points, or 0.2%, to 16,537 in the first 10 minutes of trading Tuesday.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose three points, or 0.2%, to 1,844 and the Nasdaq composite rose 10 points, or 0.2%, to 4,164.

The S&P 500 is headed for its best year since 1997. The index is up 29% in 2013, or 32% with dividends included.

In the government bond market, the 10-year Treasury note continued to hover near the 3% mark.

U.S. markets will be closed Wednesday for New Year’s Day. Trading will reopen on Thursday.