A surge in hiring in the world's largest economy last month drove the Nasdaq to an 11-year high as optmism grew that the labor market is on a steady path to recovery.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 153.49 points, or 1.21 per cent, at 12,858.90. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 19.12 points, or 1.44 per cent, at 1,344.66. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 45.66 points, or 1.60 per cent, at 2,905.34.