The Dow Jones industrial average is up 88 points to 13,342 shortly before noon Tuesday.
Federal Reserve officials gather for a two-day meeting Wednesday. Many expect the Fed to take steps to revive the sluggish economy.
Germany's high court is expected to rule Wednesday on whether the country can participate in a European bailout fund.
The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose seven points to 1,436. The Nasdaq gained nine points to 3,112.
Morgan Stanley and Citigroup rose after the two banks settled a dispute over their jointly owned Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.
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