Overnight: US stocks climbed to session highs, picking up steam along with major companies such as Apple Inc

Overnight: US stocks climbed to session highs, picking up steam along with major companies such as Apple Inc. and Exxon Mobil Corp., buoyed by signals of an improving global economy. Treasury prices stepped back following an auction of inflation-protected securities, giving yields a nudge higher for their 2nd session out of 7. The euro traded near a 2-year high versus the US dollar, shaking off a reminder of the fragility of the euro zone's economic recovery. Gold futures tacked on more than 1% for their highest close in 5weeks as a gauge of manufacturing in China, climbed to a seven-month high in October. Oil futures settled higher as an improvement in Chinese manufacturing lifted prospects for energy demand. London BHP up 1.35%. Rio up 0.67%. New York BHP up 0.85%. Rio up 0.85% LME Base metals traded mildly lower after yesterday's dip.