Afternoon Markets: Dow boosted by improving house price data

The Dow Jones is higher this morning on improving house price data and a rebound in consumer confidence.

By 11am local time, the Wall Street index was up 52.38 points (0.55%) to 9,561.66 points. Investors reacted positively to the latest S&P Case-Shiller US National Home Price Index, which saw a 14.9% second quarter drop from a year earlier. This was an improvement on the record 19.1% drop seen the first quarter. In addition, US consumer confidence increased to 54.1 in August from 47.4 in July, an increase far ahead of economist expectations. Financials are enjoying early upwards momentum, with Bank of America gaining 2.13% to $17.72. JPMorgan Chase is also up, adding 1.86% to $43....