Wall Street Extends Vast '13 Advance as Year Closes

FOX Business: Capitalism Lives Here

Wall Street looked to close out what has been a banner for stocks on a high note on more upbeat data on the U.S. economy.

Today's Markets

As of 3:12 p.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 17.3 points, or 0.11%, to 16522, the S&P 500 gained 1.9 points, or 0.1%, to 1843 and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 12.6 points, or 0.3%, to 4167.

2013 has been a blockbuster year for equity investors. The broad S&P 500 has surged 29.1% in its best annual percentage gain since 1997. Both the Dow and the S&P 500 are at trading at record highs.

The data calendar was actually moderate for the New Years Eve trading session.

The S&P/Case-Shiller report showed home prices in 20 major metropolitan areas rose 0.2% from September to October, missing Wall Street estimates of a 0.7% pick-up. Year-over-year, prices spiked 13.6%, slightly beating estimates of a 13% increase.

The Conference Board said consumer confidence ticked up to 78.1 in December, from an upwardly revised 72 the month prior, beating Wall Street views of an increase to 76.

The Institute for Supply Management – Chicago’s PMI gauge fell in December to 59.1 from 63 in November, missing Street estimates of 61. The index fell to its lowest level since April. Readings above 50 point to expansion, while those below indicate contraction.

In commodities, U.S. crude oil futures dipped 57 cents, or 0.57%, to $98.72 a barrel. Wholesale New York Harbor gasoline dipped 0.28% to $2.78 a gallon. Gold fell $4.20, or 0.35%, to $1,200 a troy ounce.