US stocks powered ahead, closing up more than 200 points as house sales data gave sentiment a boost. Dow Jones ended the day 225 points ahead at at 10,249. Nasdaq gained 58 points at 2,281 and the S&P 500 added 27 points at 1,098.
The pending home sales index rose 6% in April compared with expectations of 4.3%. The March figure was revised from 5.3% to 7.1%.
Car sales figures had GM reporting a 32% gain in sales and Ford reporting a 23% increase in May. Toyota's sales rose 7%.
On the corporate front, AIG was in focus after UK insurer Prudential scrapped it contentious plans to buy AIG's Asian arm (AIA). In a statement, chairman Harvey McGrath said the Pru took the decision to withdraw after failing to negotiate a cut in the $35.5bn purchase price for AIA. The Pru's $21bn right issue to finance the deal will now also be scrapped.
US authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. BP, which has seen over £40bn wiped off its value since mid-April, is facing increasing anger over the Gulf of Mexico spill, the biggest in American history.
Although BP continues to slump, the Halliburton share price has bounced back by more than 10%. Other oil services companies, including Schlumberger and Smith International were also higher.
Amgen has received FDA approval for Denosumab, its bone-strengthening injection for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Hopes for bumper sales of Toy Story 3 merchandise boosted Walt Disney.S&P 500 - Risers
Halliburton Co (HAL) $23.68 +11.96%
Amgen Inc. (AMGN) $56.09 +10.50%
Baker Hughes International (BHI) $39.63 +10.48%
Southwestern Energy (SWN) $40.42 +9.87%
Range Res Corp. (RRC) $47.90 +9.61%
S&P 500 - Fallers
Tellabs Inc. (TLAB) $7.99 -2.98%
King Pharmaceuticals (KG) $8.14 -2.16%
Best Buy Co Inc. (BBY) $40.20 -1.28%
Family Dollar Stores (FDO) $40.09 -0.40%
Visa Inc (V) $71.25 -0.34%
Dow Jones I.A - Risers
American Express Inc. (AXP) $40.97 +4.54%
Walt Disney Co. (DIS) $34.74 +4.23%
Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) $47.27 +3.71%
Bank Of America Corp. (BAC) $15.89 +2.91%
Intel Corp. (INTC) $21.78 +2.83%
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