U.S. stocks close higher, bolstered by housing data and energy sector

NEW YORK (MarketWatch)
U.S. stocks rose modestly Tuesday after a better-than-expected report on the housing market lifted consumer discretionary and energy companies
But uncertainty over a gathering of European leaders later this week curbed investor enthusiasm
"Many of the politicans in Europe are in such a difficult position
I don't think [German Chancellor Angela Merkel] will be comfortable backing any extreme measures until the situation is perceived as more treacherous than it is today
She needs that cover," said John De Clue, chief investment officer at U.S. Bank Wealth Management After rising as much as 74 points and falling 50, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 32.01 points, or 0.3%, to end at 12,534.67
The S&P 500 index  climbed 6.27 points, or 0.5%, to 1,319.99
The Nasdaq Composite gained 17.9 points, or 0.6%, to 2,854.06