Dow edges up

US stocks rose moderately for a second consecutive session today, boosted by strong earnings from United Technologies and McDonalds.

The day’s earnings reports were mostly upbeat, although investor reactions were mixed.

United Technologies, Johnson & Johnson, McDonald’s and 3M all reported higher profits, but J&J and 3M shares fell after disappointing analysts.

Since the earnings season began two weeks ago, stocks have been swinging with each day’s announcement as investors react to companies’ earnings as well as their outlooks.

“Stocks are either going way, way up or way, way down,” said Paul McManus, senior vice president and director of research, at Independence Investment LLC. “There appear to be more surprises.”

A decline in oil prices also helped stocks. A barrel of light crude fell $1.04 to settle at $67.06 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 23.45, or 0.22%, to close at 10,712.22.

Broader stock indicators were also higher. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 3.04, or 0.24%, to end on 1,266.86, and the Nasdaq composite index rose 16.78, or 0.75%, to close at 2,265.25.