Midday Report: Caterpillar Drives Dow to Triple-Digit Gains; Nasdaq Tops 6,000

Positive earnings kept stock markets buoyant for another day in the best two-day stretch for the Dow Jones Industrial Average this year. Broad gains also helped push the Nasdaq through its 6,000 milestone for the first time. Dow component Caterpillar (CAT) - Get Report was the biggest contributor to gains on the blue-chip index as solid demand translated to a strong quarterly performance. Net income soared past estimates, while revenue came in higher than consensus. New home sales surged to an eight-month high in March as low inventory and high demand continued to benefit the housing market. Sales increased to their second highest pace since 2008. Consumer confidence weakened in April at a faster pace than anticipated, though still held near a 12-year high. Consumers were less optimistic over the state of the labor market and the short-term outlook for business conditions.