Stocks edge up as consumer spending grows; larger growth in pending home sales than expected

NEW YORK — Stocks are edging higher to start the week after a round of economic reports suggested that the recovery is continuing.

The Commerce Department said that consumer spending rose at its fastest pace in four months in February. The National Association of Realtors said more Americans signed contracts to buy homes in February than economists were expecting. Sales rose in every region but the Northeast.

The Dow Jones industrial average is up 14 points, or 0.1 percent, to 12,235 in midday trading Monday.

The broader S&P 500 index is up 1, or 0.1 percent, to 1,314. The Nasdaq composite is down 1, or less than 0.1 percent, to 2,741.