Stocks climb on better-than-expected home sales data

The Census Bureau's gauge of new-home sales climbed more than economists expected, pushing banking and homebuilding stocks higher and helping the Dow Jones industrial average build on recent gains. The DJIA rose 15 points, or 0.17 percent, to close at 9,109.

Bank of America (BAC), one of the biggest mortgage lenders, climbed 4.6 percent, the most among the Dow's 30 component stocks. Financial firms and homebuilders in the S&P 500 rose 1.5 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively.

For more stocks making moves today, be sure to check out BloggingStocks' market wrap up.