"The market continues to focus more broadly on earnings, which so far this season have been mixed," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist with Avalon Partners.
The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) added 65 points, or 0.5%, to 12,267. The S&P 500 (SPX) gained 7.5 points, or 0.6%, or 1,313; and the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) added 10 points, or 0.4%, to 2,745.
"The start of this earnings season has been one of the poorest in recent memory, but the market seems to be handling it pretty well," said Fred Dickson, chief market strategist with D.S. Davidson & Co.
Investors also focused on commodities, with oil climbing more than $108 a barrel, and gold striking $1,500 an ounce for the first time ever.
The Commerce Department said housing starts and building permits both increased more than expected in March.
The dollar fell against the euro and the British pound, but gained versus the Japanese yen.
Oil for May delivery rose $1.03 to settle at $108.15 a barrel. Oil for June delivery, which becomes the active contract Wednesday, gained 59 cents to $108.28 a barrel.
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