Consumer stocks led gains, with housing sector stocks ahead after data showed that signed contracts for US home resales rose to a nearly two-year high in January, further evidence of a recovery in the housing market.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 6.92 points, or 0.05 percent, to 12,989.87. The S&P 500 Index gained 0.92 points, or 0.07 percent, to 1,366.66. The Nasdaq Composite gained 5.11 points, or 0.17 percent, to 2,968.86.