U.S. stocks rose for the second time this week, led by computer companies, after better-than-expected earnings at Oracle Corp. showed that spending on technology is holding up as the economy slows.

Oracle, the largest maker of database software, advanced the most in 15 months. EBay Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. rallied after Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. said they may have a “strong” holiday season. Nike Inc., the biggest athletic-shoe maker, posted its steepest gain in two months on higher sales in China and Europe.

The Nasdaq Composite Index advanced the most in two weeks, gaining 39.85, or 1.5 percent, to 2,640.86. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index added 7.12, or 0.5 percent, to 1,460.12. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 38.37, or 0.3 percent, to 13,245.64. Almost two stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange. [MORE]