Nike, the largest maker of athletic shoes, rose US$2.51 to US$56.30, extending its gain for the quarter to 20 percent. The company's fiscal second-quarter earnings of 48 cents a share, beat analysts' estimates by US$0.02.
The company said it controlled costs, boosted sales overseas and sold more basketball-related clothing in the US.
"It's very difficult to keep the US consumer down," said Jim McCabe, who runs the US$124 million Gerrard North American Growth fund. "After going through a bad period for sneakers and sports clothing, that area of the fashion business has come back lately."
Retailers gained after a report showing a greater-than-expected rise in consumer confidence in November added to evidence the economy is improving. Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the largest retailer, advanced US$1.31 to US$57.57. Target Corp, a discount retailer, rose US$0.91 to US$38.21.
Gap Inc gained US$0.99 to US$13.16. Prudential Securities Inc analyst Stacy Pak said the largest clothing chain may rise with other retailers as investors bet the economy will rebound.
Still, Pak said sales aren't improving. She raised her rating to "hold" from "sell."
Western Digital Corp gained US$0.58 to US$6.10. The computer- disk-drive maker said it will top its own sales and earnings forecasts for the fiscal second-quarter on higher-than-expected disk-drive sales.
Integrated Circuit Systems Inc climbed US$2.56 to US$21.51. The maker of silicon-timing devices raised its second-quarter revenue-growth estimate to between 5 percent and 10 percent from the previous quarter. Integrated Circuit previously forecast a 5 percent jump in sales.
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