Stocks ended higher on Monday, starting the second quarter with a bang. The S&P 500 climbed to a fresh four-year closing high as manufacturing data from the United States and China helped support the outlook for economic growth.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 52.45 points, or 0.40 percent, to end unofficially at 13,264.49 - its highest close since December 31, 2007. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 10.42 points, or 0.74 percent, to finish unofficially at 1,418.89, its highest close since mid-May 2008. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 28.13 points, or 0.91 percent, to close unofficially at 3,119.70.

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Jan Paschal)

China Manufacturing