The major indices got a late holiday gift, gaining more than 2.4% on average.

Here are some of Tuesday’s winners and losers.

Winners

Jones Apparel Group Inc. (JNY)

The apparel maker rebounded after Monday’s rough trading session, gaining 85 cents, or nearly 19% on the day, to close at $5.40 cents.

Principal Financial Group Inc. (PFG)

The insurance sector was able to escape the rotten housing numbers released Tuesday – PFG included. The stock last traded at $21.49, gaining $2.47, or 13%.

Harman International Industries Inc. (HAR)

The audio and video equipment manufacturer recently released new hardware, one of the factors that helped boost the stock $1.81, or 12.4%, to $16.42.

Rohm & Haas Co. (ROH)

After getting crushed with news that Kuwait had snubbed a deal with potential buyer Dow Chemical (DOW) on Monday, the pharmaceutical company rebounded Tuesday to finish up nearly 12%. It closed at $59.70, a gain of $6.36.

Ameriprise Financial Inc. (AMP)

One of the big winners in the financial sector was AMP, which gained $2.16, or nearly 11% on Tuesday, finishing at $21.91.

Losers

Tellabs Inc. (TLAB)

A new deal with BT Group PLC (BT) could not help the weak earnings that had been troubling the telecom equipment provider. TLAB was the big loser among the communication equipment companies, losing nine cents, or 2.2%, to close at $4.01.

Express Scripts Inc. (ESRX)

The drug provider buckled under the strain of a weakened economy and a falling dollar. Shares lost $1.07, or 1.8%, on Tuesday to close at $57.36.

Pall Corp. (PLL)

Light trading volume didn’t help this stock. A last-minute trade dropped the stock more than $1.50 to close down 45 cents, or 1.7%, to an even $26.

Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM)

One of many mining companies being hurt by the falling price of gold, NEM closed down 1.7%, or 68 cents, to $40.02.

Murphy Oil Corp. (MUR)

As oil slipped on Tuesday, so did MUR, closing down 61 cents, or 1.4%, at $43.63.