US stocks rise

US stocks came off early losses to finish higher today as investors seemed to absorb unpleasant signals about the economy with equanimity and draw comfort from the notion that the Federal Reserve did not appear overly concerned about inflation.

A rebound in hard-hit stocks of financial companies helped fuel the session’s turnaround, while an upbeat forecast from Hewlett Packard Co. pulled technology issues higher and record prices for oil gave a boost to energy stocks.