Bank stocks pushed major U.S. stock indices much higher today, as investors were cheered by good news from the housing sector. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 234.44 points, or 2.85 percent, to close at 8504.08. The technology-heavy Nasdaq jumped 52.22 points, or 3.11 percent, to close at 1732.36. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 was up 26.83, or 3.04 percent, 909.71. The American Stock Exchange Composite Index was up 37.24, or 2.53 percent, to close at 1510.53. The New York Stock Exchange Composite Index climbed 202.98 points, or 3.58 percent, to close at 5865.87. The Russell 2000 rose 18.95 points, or 3.95 percent, to close at 494.79.
