NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes are edging higher in midday trading following some encouraging news on the economy.

Homebuilder stocks rose sharply after the government reported that sales of new homes rose in May to the highest level in six years.

Investors were also encouraged by an increase in consumer confidence to the highest level since January 2008.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 15 points, or 0.1 percent, to 16,953 as of noon Eastern time.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose three points, or 0.2 percent, to 1,967 and the Nasdaq composite rose 29 points, or 0.7 percent, to 4,397.

Both the Dow and S&P 500 are flirting with record highs.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10- year Treasury note fell to 2.60 percent.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.