Stocks moved higher in healthy trade Thursday, as a surge in October pending home sales offset disappointing November results from retailers. The Nasdaq pulled out in front with a 0.5% gain. The Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 rose 0.3% apiece. Volume cranked up 13% on the Nasdaq and 16% on the NYSE vs. Wednesday morning's action. Pending home sales bolted higher in October, lifting the National Association of Realtors' Pending Home