US STOCKS-Wall St gains as data eases economic fears

(Updates to 4 p.m.)

NEW YORK, July 25 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Friday as a drop in oil prices and stronger-than-expected data on consumer sentiment and housing blunted the latest concerns about the health of U.S banks.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was up 21.41 points, or 0.19 percent, at 11,370.69. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX was up 5.22 points, or 0.42 percent, at 1,257.76. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC was up 30.42 points, or 1.33 percent, at 2,310.53. (Editing by James Dalgleish)