S&P rebound

Stocks rose yesterday as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rebounded from a nine-week low after durable-good orders and home sales beat forecasts and consumer confidence climbed.

Cigs get OK

The FDA said yesterday it will allow two new cigarettes from Lorillard onto the market, adding that while they are not safe, they are no worse than products already being sold.

FB fraud plea

Craig L. Berkman, 71, a Florida investment adviser, has pleaded guilty in New York in an $8 million securities fraud scheme that prosecutors say capitalized on enthusiasm for Facebook shares.

No return

New York’s appeals court says the state attorney general can continue his effort to bar two former AIG executives from the securities industry or leading a public company.

Argentine bid

Argentina has lodged a Supreme Court appeal of an October 2012 US court ruling in favor of hedge funds seeking bond repayment from its $100 billion 2001 default, an Economy Ministry source said.