Stocks jump following modest hiring gains in U.S.

NEW YORK - The stock market had its biggest gain in two months after the U.S. government reported an encouraging pickup in hiring.

The gain of 223,000 jobs in April suggested that the economy may be regaining its footing after a slow start to the year.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 266 points, or 1.5 percent, to 18,190 Friday.

The Standard & Poor's 500 gained 28 points, or 1.3 percent, to 2,116. The Nasdaq composite rose 58 points, or 1.2 percent, to 5,003.

All 10 sectors in the S&P 500 index rose, led by health care companies. It was the biggest gain for the index since March 16.

Monster Beverage sank 10 percent after its earnings missed estimates.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.14 percent.