US stocks end higher on economic data, tech stock gains

ISTANBUL

US stocks ended higher Monday on the back of economic data and tech stock gains.

The number of new home sales in the US rose by 5.9% on a monthly basis in November to 664,000 units.

However, the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index decreased by 8.1 points to 104.7 in December compared to the previous month.

In addition, new orders for manufactured durable goods in the US decreased 1.1% month-over-month to $285.1 billion in November.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 66.69 points, or 0.16%, finishing at 42,906.95.

The S&P 500 increased by 43.22 points, or 0.73%, to 5,974.07. The Nasdaq Composite climbed 192.29 points, or 0.98%, to end at 19,764.88.

The VIX volatility index, referred to as the "fear index," fell by 8.61% to 16.78.