Dow Up 196 on Confidence Data

A positive report on consumer confidence gave stocks a boost today, despite poor numbers from the housing sector, the Wall Street Journal reports; financials and construction-related stocks jumped as much as 5%. Home prices, however, were down 19.1% from the first quarter of 2008. The Dow gained 196.17 to 8,473.49. The S&P was up 23.33 to 910.33. The Nasdaq tacked on 58.42, ending at 1,750.43. (More housing market stories.)