Stocks rise moderately to extend weeklong rally

NEW YORK -- The stock market is coasting higher to extend a weeklong rally.

Stocks are ending with moderate gains Tuesday, recovering from earlier losses, as investors juggle strong results at Caterpillar with worries about regional banks.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke also gave investors a mixed report, saying the economy is stabilizing but that a recovery will be slow.

Stocks jumped in the past week as companies post better-than-expected earnings and forecasts.

The Dow is up 68 at 8,916, while the S&P 500 index is up 3 at 955. The Nasdaq composite index is up 7 at 1,916.

Advancing stocks narrowly outpaced those that fell on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume came to 1.2 billion shares.