Wall Street gains; economic data, Bernanke boost mood

Tue Aug 25, 2009 4:38pm EDT

By Angela Moon

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Tuesday as economic data and the renomination of Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke reassured investors and offset concerns about red ink in the federal budget.

The Conference Board's August index of consumer confidence

topped economists' forecast, while the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index rose for a second consecutive month in June, suggesting a recovery in two sectors crucial to a rebound in U.S. economy.

The consumer data and earnings news helped drive retail stocks higher. Women's clothing retailer Chico's FAS Inc (CHS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), which reported solid results, gained 7.6 percent to $12.79, and close-out retailer Big-Lots Inc (BIG.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), rose 6.5 percent to $25.60.

Macy's Inc (M.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) was up 3.5 percent at $15.85 and the broader S&P Retail Index gained 1.8 percent.

"The missing ingredient has been the recovery in consumer spending. The market is now hopeful that the strong consumer confidence data could lead to better consumer spending numbers," said Keith Springer, president of Capital Financial Advisory Services in Sacramento.

Home builders' shares rose, with Lennar Corp (LEN.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) up 2.8 percent at $14.97 and KB Home (KBH.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) up 3.3 percent at $18.08.

Pulte Homes Inc (PHM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the biggest U.S. builder, rose 3.5 percent to $13.06. The Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction index .DJUSHB gained 3 percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI advanced 30.01 points, or 0.32 percent, to 9,539.29. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX gained 2.43 points, or 0.24 percent, to 1,028.00. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC rose 6.25 points, or 0.31 percent, to 2,024.23.

The three major indexes closed at 2009 highs, although they were off the year's intraday highs reached after the stronger-than-expected economic data. But in a repeat of Monday's action, the rally cooled somewhat in the afternoon.

The broad S&P 500 index briefly hit a 10-month intraday high. It remains on track for its sixth straight monthly gain.

A drop in oil prices weighed on energy shares. Exxon Mobil(XOM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) helped limit the Dow's gains.

Investors welcomed President Barack Obama's decision to keep Bernanke as Fed chairman.

"Bernanke has put his policies in place and now (with the reappointment), the market is reassured that he will unwind the policies in a timely manner. It's good to know that someone else won't come in and change everything," said Kim Caughey, senior equity research analyst at Fort Pitt Capital Group in Pittsburgh.

The positive news overshadowed government forecasts that the U.S. national debt will nearly double over the next 10 years due to a slow recovery from the worst recession since the 1930s, and higher spending on retirement and medical benefits.

On the downside, energy shares dragged on the market with U.S. front-month crude oil retreating 3 percent, or $2.32, to settle at $72.05 a barrel after a recent rally.

Exxon Mobil's stock slid 0.9 percent to $70.68, while Murphy Oil Corp (MUR.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) shed 2.6 percent to $59.11.

Volume was light on the New York Stock Exchange, with 1.14 billion shares changing hands, below last year's estimated daily average of 1.49 billion.

On the Nasdaq, about 1.95 billion shares traded, also below last year's daily average of 2.28 billion.

Advancing stocks outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by a ratio of about 3 to 2. On the Nasdaq, about seven stocks rose for every six that fell.
 

Keith Springer is President of Capital Financial Advisory Services, a registered investment advisor, providing Wealth Management and Mortgage Consulting Services.  For more information on how to build and maintain a solid retirement plan, please contact Keith Springer at 916-925-8900 or Keith@KeithSpringer.com