MARKET SNAPSHOT: Stocks Rise; S&P 500 In Longest Win Streak In 6 Mths

By Anora Mahmudova, MarketWatch

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks closed modestly higher Monday, helping the S&P 500 to extend its winning streak to the longest in six months.

Estimate-beating results from a number of companies on Monday boosted sentiment amid thin volumes on Wall Street. More than 4.8 billion stocks changed hands across Nasdaq and NYSE exchanges, the lowest number this year, according to FactSet.

Reporting ahead of the bell Monday, Halliburton Co. (HAL), Hasbro, Inc. (HAS) and Kimberly-Clark Corp. (KMB) beat Wall Street's expectations. Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) shares rose in aftermarket trade after earnings topped estimates.

The S&P 500 (SPX) ended the day 7.04 points, or 0.4%, higher at 1,871.89, rising for five straight sessions, its longest streak since October.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) closed 40.71 points, or 0.3%, higher at 16,449.25.

The Nasdaq Composite (RIXF) added 26.03 points, or 0.6%, to 4,121.55, also rising for the fifth straight session.

"The rally [last week] was supported by a deeply oversold condition and improving economic conditions. The economy could be a catch-22, however, should an increase in economic activity prompt inflation to accelerate," wrote Bruce Bittles, chief investment strategist at Baird.

In economic news, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index decreased slightly in March. However, the Conference Board's leading economic index rose in March and February, signaling that growth could accelerate in coming months. Newscast: U.S. economy picks up steam, Conference Board finds

Netflix rallies in after hours market

One of the busiest weeks for earnings releases began with the results of Halliburton and Netflix, Inc.

After the close, Netflix Inc. (NFLX) shares rallied over 7% after earning topped estimates. The video streaming company added 2.25 million subscribers in the U.S., meeting its own forecast. Live Blog: Netflix's first-quarter earnings results.

Ahead of the bell on Monday, Halliburton (HAL) reported that it swung to a first-quarter profit. Revenue also improved and results beat expectations. Shares rose 3.3%.

Kimberly-Clark (KMB)posted estimate-beating profits, which largely came from lower costs as sales were weaker. Shares slipped 1.4%.

Hasbro Inc. (HAS) shares rose 1.9% after the toymaker said it swung to a first-quarter profit from a loss in the same quarter last year, thanks to sales of its girls toys category.

Shares of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) rose 12% to $4.12 after the company reported better-than-expected results late Thursday.

Shares of Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. (SRPT) soared 39% to $33.98 after the company announced plans to submit a new drug application to the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by the end of the year.

Shares in Weibo Corp (WB) rose 12% to $22.61 on the second trading day. Shares gained 5% on their debut trading on Thursday, after the company raised $268 million by selling 16.8 million U.S.-listed shares at $17.

This week, the deluge of corporate earnings includes Apple Inc. (AAPL), Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), Boeing Co. (BA) and Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)

European markets closed for Easter Monday

Several global markets remained closed on Monday, including those in Europe, plus Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand. The Nikkei 225 index closed up 0.6%, while other markets closed flat to slightly lower.

Gold(GCM4) eased back, but oil prices (CLK4) ticked up. The dollar rose to a two-week high against the Japanese yen (USDJPY) after Japan's trade deficit expanded by more than expected last month.

More must-reads from MarketWatch:

Long view on stocks is best during weak earnings season

Tech trouble: Stocks fall as investors want profits

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