U.S. Stocks Rise as Dow Has Biggest Two-Day Rally Since July

U.S. stocks advanced, giving the Dow Jones Industrial Average its biggest two-day rally since July, as purchases of existing homes unexpectedly jumped, retail sales topped analysts’ estimates and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. recommended buying financial shares.

PulteGroup Inc., the largest U.S. homebuilder by revenue, advanced 3.2 percent after pending sales of existing homes increased by a record 10 percent in October. Home Depot Inc. climbed 5.5 percent, leading gains in the Dow, as retail sales rose the most since March. Bank of America Corp. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. drove financial shares to the biggest advance in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index after Goldman Sachs said the economic outlook is “supportive” for the industry.