NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are closing at their highest levels in nearly three years thanks to stronger corporate earnings and a lift in consumer confidence. The S&P 500, the benchmark for most mutual funds, closed at its highest level since June 2008.
Delta Air Lines jumped 11 percent after beating analyst’s estimates. Ford Motor Co. rose nearly 1 percent after reporting its best first quarter earnings since 1998.
At the market close, the S&P 500 is up 12 points, or 0.9 percent, to 1,347. The Dow Jones industrial average is up 115, or 0.9 percent, to 12,595. The Nasdaq composite is up 22, or 0.8 percent, to 2,848.
Three stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange. Consolidated volume came to 4.1 billion shares.
