US STOCKS-Wall St up as Lowe's results sweeten economic mood

* Lowe's results bolster housing, retailing sectors

* Bank of America drives banks on broker views

* Energy shares climb as crude advances

[For up-to-the-minute market news click [STXNEWS/US] (Updates to early afternoon, changes byline)

By Edward Krudy

NEW YORK, May 18 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Monday as solid results from the No. 2 U.S. home improvement retailer, Lowe's Cos Inc (LOW.N: Quote, Profile, Research), fueled hopes the recession was easing and consumer spending stabilizing.

Positive broker comments on Bank of America Corp (BAC.N: Quote, Profile, Research), up 9.7 percent at $11.71, lifted the financial sector, while a 4 percent jump in oil prices buoyed energy companies' shares. Bank and energy stocks were the big boosters of the S&P 500.

Shares of Lowe's rose 9 percent to $20.11 after the company raised its full-year forecast due to signs that the housing market's decline may be ebbing. Lowe's Chief Executive Robert Niblock said consumer confidence has improved in recent weeks, and housing turnover is showing "signs of a bottom."

That optimism helped lift shares of companies in sectors such as homebuilding and retail. Lowe's top rival Home Depot Inc (HD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) added 6.5 percent to $25.98 a day before the Dow component is set to deliver its own quarterly scorecard.