the Nasdaq Composite rallied 2.01%, the S&P 500 jumped 1.19% and the Dow gained 0.76%, with all three benchmarks turning positive again for the year. Ten out of the 11 S&P sectors advanced, led by technology, communication services and consumer discretionary. Those gains came despite mixed corporate earnings results and weakening US economic data, as investors focused on forward guidance and hopes that the economy was faring better than expected. Investors now look ahead to more earnings reports from major firms such as Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Danaher, Verizon and General Electric, among others.