US stocks gain as companies report solid quarterly earnings; Apple, Harley-Davidson rise

U.S. stocks were solidly higher in midday trading as the market headed for a fourth day of gains.

Traders were encouraged by economic growth figures from China, as well as strong quarterly earnings from several big U.S. companies.

Apple and Harley-Davidson both rose after releasing their latest quarterly results. Apple gained 2 percent after predicting strong holiday sales, and Harley-Davidson jumped 7 percent after its results beat analysts' forecasts.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 28 points, or 1.5 percent, to 1,932 as of 11:45 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 163 points, or 1 percent, to 16,562.

The Nasdaq composite rose 77 points, or 1.8 percent, to 4,393.

The price of oil rose. U.S. crude gained 44 cents to $82.35 a barrel.