New York - US stocks have closed 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 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.
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