Better-than-expected reports on housing and consumer confidence helped U.S. stocks record gains albeit in a tepid manner. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke’s reappointment also added to the positive sentiments but the muted gains signaled investors were progressing with caution. Treasury prices rose after a successful auction of $42 billion two-year notes.
The Dow Jones industrial average added 30 points, or 0.3% and closed at its highest point since November 4. The S&P 500 index gained 2 points, or 0.2% to close at its highest level since November 6. The NASDAQ composite rose 6 points, or 0.3%, to 2024, its highest close since October 1. NYSE volume remained a modest 1.14 billion shares, with advancing issues ahead of decliners by a three-to-two margin.
After touching their 10-month high, crude prices retreated 3.1% to $72.05, reflecting yesterday's reported rise in stockpiles from the American Petroleum Institute, generating a 1.4% fall in the
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