Nasdaq-100 Has Biggest Advance in 2012 as Apple Jumps

U.S. stocks advanced, giving the Nasdaq-100 Index its biggest gain this year, as Apple Inc.’s earnings almost doubled and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said he’s prepared to do more to stimulate growth.

Apple, the most valuable company, surged 8.9 percent for the biggest gain since November 2008. Boeing Co. added 5.3 percent as earnings beat estimates after the company delivered more commercial jets while pushing production to record levels. Caterpillar Inc., the world’s largest maker of construction equipment, slumped 4.6 percent as revenue missed projections.