NEW YORK — Investors encouraged by a good batch of earnings reports and forecasts jumped back into stocks after a two-day slide.

Market indexes posted big gains yesterday as investors snapped up financial shares after several banks said they weren't seeing as many loans go bad. The market extended its advance in afternoon trading when Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it expects sales to grow this year and increase at a faster pace next year.

The technology-heavy Nasdaq composite index advanced the least among major indicators following a disappointing forecast from online retailer eBay Inc.