Markets Right Now: Banks, tech lead stocks slightly higher

NEW YORK – The latest on developments in financial markets (All times local):

11:45 a.m.

Banks, insurers and other financial companies led U.S. stocks slightly higher in midday trading.

Technology stocks also helped lift the market Tuesday, while health care companies lagged the most.

JPMorgan chose rose 1 per cent and Facebook climbed 1.1 per cent.

Health insurers fell as a Republican effort to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care bill appeared to gain momentum. UnitedHealth fell 1.9 per cent.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 35 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 22,366. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index climbed 2 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 2,506. Both indexes closed at record highs on Monday.

The Nasdaq composite edged up 2 points, less than 0.1 per cent, to 6,457.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.24 per cent.

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9:35 a.m.

Stock indexes are edging higher on Wall Street in early trading, extending the market’s gains from a day earlier.

Technology companies and health care stocks were among the biggest gainers early Tuesday.

Facebook climbed about 1 per cent and Amgen rose 0.3 per cent.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 28 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 22,358. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index climbed 2 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 2,506. Both indexes closed at record highs on Monday.

The Nasdaq composite increased 10 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 6,464.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.22 per cent.