Stocks held gains on Wednesday after data showed pending sales of previously owned U.S. homes rose more than expected in April.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 49.43 points, or 0.49 percent, to 10,073.45. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 6.92 points, or 0.65 percent, to 1,077.63. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> climbed 13.76 points, or 0.62 percent, to 2,236.09.

(Reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak)