U.S. Stocks Advance on Paulson’s Purchase of Bank Shares

``Bank of America Corp. and Regions Financial Corp. rallied after Paulson’s firm said it purchased shares. Walmart, the largest retailer, jumped 2.7 percent. Alcoa Inc., the biggest U.S. aluminum producer, climbed as metals rose. The market’s gain was limited by reports showing sales at retailers dropped for the first time in three months and jobless claims topped forecasts, while analyst downgrades weighed on homebuilders. ''