<p>U.S. stocks rose at the open on Tuesday (December 18), extending a rally that lifted the S&P 500 to its highest in nearly two months, as optimism grew that a deal would be made to avert the "fiscal cliff".</p><br /><p>The Dow Jones industrial average gained 12.11 points, or 0.09 percent, to 13,247.50. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 2.13 points, or 0.15 percent, to 1,432.49. The Nasdaq Composite Index gained 9.93 points, or 0.33 percent, to 3,020.53.</p><br /><p>Investors have been reluctant to make big bets in the face of uncertainty over the cliff, a combination of steep tax hikes and spending cuts that could hurt the U.S. economy if they take effect next year.</p><br /><p>But hopes for a deal grew Monday night as U.S. President Barack Obama made a counter-offer to Republicans that included a major change in position on tax hikes for the wealthy, according to a source familiar with the talks.</p>
