Most U.S. stocks rose as durable goods orders unexpectedly jumped and earnings topped estimates at Oracle Corp. Equities pared gains and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell as the Federal Reserve disappointed investors by not increasing its bond-purchase program.

Oracle, the second-largest software maker, rallied 7 percent. General Electric Co. and Caterpillar Inc. advanced as the 1.8 percent increase in bookings for goods meant to last several years added to evidence the recession is easing. Boeing Co. plunged for a second day after delaying the first flight of its 787 Dreamliner, leading declines in the Dow.

About five stocks advanced for every two that fell on the New York Stock Exchange. The S&P 500 added 0.7 percent to 900.94 at 4:04 p.m. in New York after climbing as much as 1.8 percent earlier. The Dow lost 23.05 points, or 0.3 percent, to 8,299.86. The Nasdaq Composite rallied 1.6 percent. Treasuries fell, pushing yields up for the first time in four days.

(Bloomberg.com)