US Stocks Paced Higher By Home Depot, Target, AmEx

A string of better-than-expected quarterly reports from retailers, including Home Depot and Target, and an American Express-led bounce-back for financials helped stocks close higher Tuesday.

In the wake of steep declines in the past two sessions, consumer stocks had a solid move higher Tuesday. While concern about the health of the U.S. consumer remains, largely thanks to a still weakened labor market, some within the industry were able to quell some investor fears on the session.

Notably, Home Depot increased 82 cents, or 3.1%, to $26.93, as its fiscal second-quarter earnings fell a smaller-than-expected 7.2% and the world's largest home-improvement retailer by sales raised its fiscal-year earnings outlook. (more)