U.S. stocks are rising Tuesday after more companies said they made bigger profits at the end of last year than analysts expected. The S&P 500 was up 0.9% in afternoon trading, as many markets around the world took only tentative steps following Donald Trump’s return to the White House on Monday.

World shares are higher ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, while bitcoin surged to a record high

Sentiment also was helped by upbeat comments by U.S. and Chinese officials ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration later Monday. Pledges by both sides to work to improve relations may have alleviated some concerns over trade tensions that have built up as businesses brace for a possible increase in tariffs on Chinese exports to the U.