Stocks rise on benign reading for consumer prices

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are rising in early trading following a benign reading on consumer inflation and a rebound in housing starts last month.

Consumer prices excluding food an energy were flat in November, signaling that inflation isn't rising through the economy. It was the first time that "core" inflation was unchanged after 10 monthly increases.

Meanwhile the Commerce Department said construction of new homes and apartments rose 8.9 percent last month.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 52.45, or 0.5 percent, to 10,504.45, the Standard & Poor's 500 index is up 6.82, or 0.6 percent, to 1,114.75, and the Nasdaq composite index is up 15.69, or 0.7 percent, at 2,216.74.