Stocks rose modestly Monday as investors considered recent concerns about the banking sector and the likelihood of Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Ben Bernanke serving a second term at the U.S. central bank. Gains were limited by a weaker-than-expected report on the U.S. housing market. Stocks plunged last week after the White House proposed new limits on banks and rumors circulated that Bernanke's term might not be renewed by the Senate. In three sessions, the three major indexes fell 5 percent. In economic news, sales of existing U.S. homes fell sharply to an annual rate of 5.45 million units in December. Last month was expected to show a decline after a strong November that benefited from the original expiration of a first-time homebuyer tax credit. The popular program later was extended. --MORE
