Stocks end higher as investors weigh mixed news on economy

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 67 points, or 0.4 percent, to end at 17,545 on Monday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 10 points, or 0.5 percent, to 2,102. The Nasdaq composite climbed 43 points, or 0.9 percent, to 5,091.

Stocks fell early on a report showing manufacturing activity in New York state contracted in August at the fastest pace since the Great Recession.

But an index of homebuilder sentiment showed optimism at its highest level since the housing boom a decade ago.

Prices of U.S. government bonds rose, tugging down the yield on the 10-year Treasury note to 2.17 percent from 2.20 percent late Friday.