Summary Box: Stock market edges higher following improvements in consumer confidence, housing

Summary Box: Stocks climb ahead of quarter end

INCHING TO THE FINISH: Stocks posted modest gains Tuesday following improved reports on consumers and housing. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 12 points. It is up 4.6 percent for the quarter, which ends Wednesday.

GAINING CONFIDENCE: The Conference Board, a private research group, said consumer confidence grew more than expected in March.

HOME IMPROVEMENT: The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index signaled that home prices inched rose for an eighth consecutive month.