By Ryan Vlastelica
NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed sharply higher on Monday, with the Nasdaq ending at its highest level since September 2000, as upbeat data from China boosted optimism about the health of the global economy.
Sentiment was also lifted by merger activity and easing concerns about a potential Western-led strike on Syria.
The S&P 500 closed higher for a fifth straight sessions, posting its best daily performance since August 1, while all 10 S&P sectors ended higher. More than 70 percent of companies that trade on both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq rose.
Basic materials shares led the day's gains, rising 1.5 percent, after China's August exports handily beat market expectations while consumer inflation held steady. U.S. Steel Corp jumped 3.5 percent to $19.53 while Alcoa Inc rose 2 percent to $8.08.
"This is more proof that the Chinese government's attempts to stabilize the country's economy are helping, and that really got us up and running," said Donald Selkin, chief market strategist at National Securities in New York.
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Equities added to their gains in afternoon trading as it appeared less likely that a resolution authorizing military strikes against Syria would easily pass the U.S. legislature. Geopolitical uncertainty related to Syria has been a major market driver in recent weeks, with investors especially concerned about the potential impact on the oil market.
U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid set a test vote for later this week, but it was unclear whether the measure would attract enough backing to clear anticipated procedural roadblocks.
"Every poll shows it would be very difficult for Obama to get authorization, and that might be enough to delay any action or at least make the action more cautious," said Selkin, who helps oversee $3 billion in assets. "Both of those would give the market a leg up."
Separately, a Russian proposal to place Syria's chemical weapons under international control was welcomed by the government in Damascus, which praised the Kremlin for seeking to "prevent American aggression.
The Dow Jones industrial average was up 140.62 points, or 0.94 percent, at 15,063.12. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 16.54 points, or 1.00 percent, at 1,671.71. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 46.17 points, or 1.26 percent, at 3,706.18.
The S&P rose above its 50-day moving average for the first time since August 23, a sign of positive near-term momentum. The index has risen for five straight sessions, up 2.4 percent over that period.
Volume was light, with about 5.67 billion shares changing hands on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq and NYSE MKT, below the daily average this year of about 6.25 billion shares.
Deal news gave a further boost to market confidence. Koch Industries agreed to buy electronic connectors maker Molex for about $7.2 billion. Ares Management LLC and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board reached a deal to buy privately owned U.S. luxury retailer Neiman Marcus for $6 billion.
Molex shares surged 31.7 percent to $38.63 as the S&P's top gainer. Tech shares gained 1.3 percent.
Investors are also keeping an eye on U.S. Federal Reserve policy. Most market participants expect the central bank to announce next week it will start to pare back its accommodative monetary policies.
Shares of homebuilders rallied on bets of a cap on mortgage rates, which had risen recently. U.S. Treasuries yields fell from two-year highs as investors bet the Fed may reduce bond purchases more slowly than previously thought. The PHLX housing sector index jumped 3.9 while PulteGroup added 7.5 percent at $16.63.
Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc jumped 13.9 percent to $31.81 after the company said it had reached a collaboration with Biogen Idec Inc on treatments for neurological disorders. Biogen rose 1.6 percent to $228.86.
On the downside, Tenet Healthcare shares fell 3.7 percent to $38.39. Barclays Capital on Monday downgraded the health care sector to "market weight" from "overweight," saying it wanted to take profits following steep gains this year.
(Editing by Nick Zieminski)