U.S. stocks advanced, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average toward the highest level since 2007, as retail sales rose by the most in five months and as investors awaited a Federal Reserve decision on interest rates.

Equities advanced after data showed retail sales rose 1.1 percent in February, matching the median forecast of 81 economists. Yet a pickup in payrolls accompanied by limited wage gains may not be enough to satisfy Fed officials, who today will probably reaffirm a commitment to keep interest rates low.

Dow 13,070.78     +111.07       +0.86%, Nasdaq      3,016.15       +32.49 +1.09%, S&P 500   1,383.46         +12.37 +0.90%

JPMorgan (JPM) increased 2 percent to $41.33. Bank of America Corp. (BAC) rallied 1.9 percent to $8.14 today.

Carmike Cinemas Inc. gained 14 percent to $10.33. The fourth-largest U.S. theater chain posted fourth-quarter revenue that exceeded the average analyst projection.

Urban Outfitters Inc. fell 5.6 percent, the most in the S&P 500, to $27.87. The operator of its namesake, Anthropologie and Free People brands reported fourth-quarter earnings that missed the average analyst estimate.