MARKET SNAPSHOT: U.S. Stocks Rise; Dow In Triple Digit Gain

By Anora Mahmudova, MarketWatch

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. stock market rose on Monday, the last day of the month and quarter, as investors found Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen's comments on monetary policy reassuring.

In a speech to a Chicago community reinvestment conference on Monday, Yellen said that the recovery still feels like a recession to many Americans, which is why the central bank will keep its "extraordinary" support for the economy for "some time to come."

Earlier, stocks were boosted by hopes of monetary stimulus from the European Central Bank after euro-zone inflation fell to its lowest level since 2009.

The S&P 500 (SPX) rose 12 points, or 0.7%, to 1,869.76. The benchmark index is less than a percentage points higher on the month and gained 1.2% over the past quarter.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) jumped 123.60 points, or 0.8%, to 16,441.95. The blue-chip index is set for a modest gain this month, however it is still negative for the year.

The Nasdaq Composite (RIXF) added 36 points, or 0.9%, to 4,192.75. The tech-heavy index has been the worst performer so far this month, with steep losses last week denting quarterly gains.

Follow MarketWatch's live blog of Wednesday's stock-market action.

In economic news, a gauge of Chicago-area businesses unexpectedly tumbled in March, hitting the lowest level since August, led by drops for new orders and employment, according to data released Monday. The Chicago purchasing-managers index fell to 55.9 in March, down 3.9 points from February. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected a March index reading of 60.

The biggest data of the week will come on Friday, when the U.S. employment report for March is due. Economists are expecting a move higher in those numbers, which would help soothe investor worries about the economy.

Cal-Maine Foods jumps on earnings

Cal-Maine Foods Inc. (CALM) shares rose 4.8% after the company reported quarterly results. The food company said third-quarter sales and profit rose due to higher prices and continued growth in its specialty-egg business.

UTI Worldwide Inc. (UTIW) shares dropped 4.6% after the company said its loss narrowed in the fiscal fourth quarter, but also reported a decline in revenue. See Movers and Shakers column.

Shares of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) rose 1.1% after agreeing to sell its Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics unit to the Carlyle Group for about $4 billion in a deal that's expected to close in the middle of the year.

U.S.-listed Prana Biotechnology Ltd. (PRAN) plunged 70% to $3.02 after a failed Phase II drug trial aimed at treating Alzheimer's.

Big Lots Inc. (BIG) shares rose 2% after the retailer was upgraded to a buy rating from hold on Monday by KeyBanc Capital Markets. Analysts at KeyBank cited progress being made on turnaround initiatives from the new management team. The firm also initiated a 12-month price target of $45 on Big Lots.

European stocks edge higher, Asian stocks mixed

In overseas markets, european stocks were firm after economic data out of the euro zone showed inflation falling to the lowest level since 2009, which will add pressure on the ECB to introduce stimulus at its monetary-policy meeting on Thursday. The Stoxx Europe 600 remained firmer, while the euro (EURUSD) fell sharply against the dollar on the inflation news, before moving higher.

Chinese stocks had a bumpy session, with the Shanghai Composite Index finishing down 0.4%. It lost nearly 5% in the first quarter, for the sharpest quarterly loss since June, according to FactSet. But investors are clinging to hopes Chinese officials won't let the economy stumble amid a steady stream of downbeat news. The Financial Times published a report on Sunday that said bad loans written off by Chinese state banks had more than doubled last year.

The Nikkei 225 index finished up 0.9%, but closed out the quarter with a nearly 9% drop. That was its biggest quarterly fall since June 2012, according to FactSet.

Gold priced were still under pressure, while oil prices nudged higher.

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