YAHOO [BRIEFING.COM]: The S&P 500 climbed 1.4% to its best level since mid-June following a barrage of economic reports, which didn't really offer much inspiration to market participants.

The ADP Employment Change report isn't always a precise indicator of what is in store with the official nonfarm payrolls report, but the ADP report does do a good job of handicapping the government's figure. So, with the latest ADP report showing a higher-than-expected the 473,000 job losses for June, many believe job losses in tomorrow's report could exceed the 363,000 that is currently being forecast.

Many economists are worried that continued weakness in labor markets and recent increases in Treasury yields could stymie a recovery in housing. According to the latest data, pending home sales for May increased just 0.1% month-over-month. They were expected to be flat after spiking 7.1% the month before.

Meanwhile, construction spending during May fell 0.9% month-over-month and missed expectations.

The June ISM Manufacturing Index came in at an in-line 44.8, which means manufacturing activity continues to contract since the Index is below 50. The monthly reading was last above 50 in February 2008. However, the pace of contraction continues to slow as the ISM has now increased six consecutive times.

Despite the generally mixed bag of economic reports, stocks were able to log broad-based gains. Consumer staples (+1.7%) were the strongest performers, thanks to General Mills (GIS 58.18, +2.16). Better-than-expected earnings and an upbeat forecast earned shares of GIS their best single-session advance by percent in nearly one month. The consumer staples sector made its best percentage gain in roughly two weeks.

Financial stocks were some of the session's worst performers. The sector shed 0.5% and finished at session lows as diversified banks (-0.8%) and regional banks (-1.0%) came under pressure.

Energy stocks struggled to remain in positive territory as sellers pressured the sector amid falling oil prices. The energy sector was up more than 2% at its session high, but finished with a modest 0.2% gain. Crude oil prices were also up more than 2% at their session high, but finished 0.8% lower at $69.35 per barrel. The reversal in oil prices came in the face of a larger-than-expected draw in weekly inventories.

Despite weakness in energy-related commodities, precious metals were able to advance amid a weaker U.S. dollar. Amid reports that China would like to debate proposals for a new global reserve currency at next week's G8 meeting, the Dollar Index dropped 0.6%. That helped gold prices climb 1.5% to $941.30 per ounce. The broader CRB Commodity Index climbed 0.5%.

Participation was lacking again this session as less than 1 billion shares traded hands on the NYSE. That's the least amount of trading volume in nearly three weeks. Volume is also expected to be light tomorrow since it is the week's final trading session ahead of the long weekend. U.S. markets will be closed on Friday in observance of Independence Day.DJ30 +57.06 NASDAQ +10.68 NQ100 +0.3% R2K +1.8% SP400 +1.1% SP500 +4.01 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1776/2.09 bln/865 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 2211/950 mln/767