THE REAL MOST ACTIVE Defense, Insurers Boost NYSE Higher.(MAKING MONEY)

Byline: DAVID SAITO-CHUNG

The S&P 500 ended a six-day losing skid, gaining 1.1%. The Dow bounced up 1.3%. NYSE volume grew for the first time on an up day since April 16.

Defense stocks had a banner session. DRS Technologies jumped 4.25, or 10%, to 46.25 on 2 1/2 times average trade. The maker of night-vision systems and other electronics for the military moved to the NYSE from the American Stock Exchange on Tuesday. It's featured in today's NYSE Stocks In The News.

L-3 Communications Holdings climbed 5.34 to clock a new high of 127.78 on heavy trading. L-3's earnings growth has slowed the past four quarters, from 94% to 31% to 21% to 19% to 18%. But sales growth has sped up the past two quarters, from 20% to 27% to 51%. Its Relative Strength has risen to 88 from 79 five weeks ago. Since the U.S. government accounts for nearly 70% of sales, it's likely L-3 will continue to win contracts. Analysts polled by First Call expect earnings rising 56% to $4.48 a share. The stock is up more than 40% this year.

Willis Group shot ahead 2.21 to 29.25, rising out of a 10-week base on top of a previous base. It's slightly above its pivot point of 29. Volume soared to 2.38 million shares, ...