Sales of previously owned U.S. homes fell more than forecast in October and orders for cars, planes and other durable goods dropped for a third month, the longest slump in 3 1/2 years.

The figures came as Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Donald Kohn signaled he’s open to lowering interest rates again given “the degree of deterioration” in financial markets. Stocks rose as Kohn’s remarks cemented forecasts for a rate cut next month to help keep the economy from sliding into recession.

Falling “consumer confidence and the slowing in capital- goods orders does bring us closer to recession,” said John Silvia, chief economist at Wachovia Corp. in Charlotte, North Carolina. “I take Kohn’s remarks as a good sign that the Fed is looking at the credit market issues, as well as the economic data, and deciding to react.”

Purchases of existing homes dropped 1.2 percent to an annual rate of 4.97 million, the fewest since the National Association of Realtors began keeping the records in 1999. Orders for items made to last several years fell 0.4 percent, the Commerce Department said today in Washington.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index gained 2.9 percent to close at 1,469.02. Federal funds futures indicated a 100 percent chance policy makers will lower borrowing costs for a third straight meeting on Dec. 11.

Home resales were forecast to fall 0.8 percent to an annual rate of 5 million from a previously reported 5.04 million pace in September, according to the median estimate of 70 economists in a Bloomberg News survey. Forecasts ranged from 4.7 million to 5.2 million. [MORE]