U.S. stocks roared on stronger- than-expected retail sales data and Dow Jones rose 136 points to above 11,000 Tuesday, as world crude oil prices plummeted below 60 dollars.

U.S. Commerce Department said Tuesday that the nation's retail sales surged 2.3 percent in January, nearly triple the expected increase and the largest gain since May 2004. Excluding demand for cars and parts, retail sales were up 2.2 percent last month in the largest monthly gain in more than six years.

World crude oil prices fell the fifth day Tuesday in a session to below 60 dollars per barrel, their lowest levels this year, on the eve of U.S. energy stockpiles weekly report. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in March, lost 1.67 dollars to 59.57 dollars per barrel,the lowest close for front- month oil futures since Dec. 27.

Ben Bernanke, the new Federal Reserve Chairman, will give a testimony on Congress for his perspective on economic growth and inflation Wednesday.

Among company on focus, the Coca-Cola Co. rose 60 cents to 41. 34 dollars after it said billionaire investor Warren Buffett will not stand for re-election to Coke's board of directors. Buffett, who has been on the board of Coke, the world's biggest soft drink company, since 1989, said he made his decision because of increased demands on his time resulting from acquisitions by his holding company, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 136.07, or 1.25 percent, to 11,028.39, its first foray past 11,000 since Jan. 12. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 12.67, or 1 percent, to 1,275.53, and the Nasdaq composite index rose 22.36, or 1 percent, to 2,262. 17.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by more than 2 to 1 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Source: Xinhua