Major US stock indices registered modest gains on Tuesday, headed by troubled financial companies bailed out by the US administration in 2009.

General Electric (GE), Boeing, AT&T and United Technologies also witnessed their shares get higher yesterday.

Boeing's gains came after contenders EADS and Northrop Grumman late Monday drew out of an offer for a worthwhile Air Force agreement to construct aerial refuellers.

Citigroup, Financials American International Group (AIG) plus mortgage firms Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac all recorded firm rallies. There was no obvious reason for the unexpected gains.

The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 11.86 points (0.11%) to 10,564.38.

The broader Standard and Poor's 500 Index added up 1.95 points (0.17%) to 1,140.45.

The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index surged 8.47 points (0.36%) to 2,340.68.

The mild rally occurred one year after the S&P 500 touched a 12-year low at the height of the slump. The index has since mounted 69%.

The US dollar gained against the euro to 73.53 euro cents as against 73.44 euro cents on Monday. However, the US currency dropped against the Japanese currency to 89.99 yen from 90.25 yen. (With Input from Agencies)