US STOCKS to close higher

U.S. stocks rose, as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rebounded from a nine-week low, after data showed durable-good orders and home sales increased more than forecast and consumer confidence climbed.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% to 1,585.98. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 96.60 points, or 0.7%, to 14,756.16 today.

U.S. equities climbed today as the Conference Board’s index of U.S. consumer confidence increased to 81.4 in June from 74.3 a month earlier. Another report showed bookings for U.S. goods meant to last at least three years climbed 3.6% for a second month, topping economist forecasts.

Separate data showed sales of new U.S. homes climbed more than forecast in May to the highest level in almost five years, while home prices increased more than forecast in the 12 months through April.

PulteGroup Inc. rallied 4.2% as an index of homebuilders jumped 1.6%. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America Corp. gained at least 2.1% as financial companies advanced. Walgreen Co. sank 6.2% after posting quarterly profit that missed estimates. Netflix Inc. slid 1.8% after Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. cut its rating on the company to underperform.

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