U.S. stocks rose for a fourth day, the longest streak in six weeks, as economist Nouriel Roubini said the worst of the financial crisis is over and reiterated that the recession may end this year, while takeover speculation lifted commodity shares.

Mosaic Co. rallied 12 percent, the most since December, on a report Vale SA may bid $25 billion for the fertilizer maker. United Parcel Service Inc. and General Electric Co. led industrial shares to the best gain among 10 groups as Roubini, the New York University professor who predicted the financial crisis, said a second government stimulus plan would help broaden the economic recovery.

The S&P 500 increased 0.9 percent to 940.74 at 4:05 p.m. in New York, capping its best four-day rally since March. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 95.61 points, or 1.1 percent, to 8,711.82. European and Asian shares advanced.

(Bloomberg.com)