Markets Right Now: US stock indexes gain in midday trading

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

11:45 a.m.

Stocks are slightly higher in midday trading on Wall Street, pushing indexes further into record territory.

If the Standard & Poor’s 500 index closes higher on Wednesday, it will mark the 7th gain in a row.

Consumer-focused companies and health care stocks were rising more than the rest of the market.

Amazon rose 1 per cent, and drugmaker Mylan soared 18 per cent after federal regulators approved its generic version of Teva’s multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index was up 4 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 2,539.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 38 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 22,680, and the Nasdaq composite edged up 7 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 6,538.

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9:35 a.m.

Stocks are off to a mixed start on Wall Street as gains for retailers and health care companies are offset by losses elsewhere in the market.

Pepsi is off 2 per cent early Wednesday after it reported weaker-than-expected sales and lowered its revenue forecast.

Office Depot is down 15 per cent after it said it will buy CompuCom for $1 billion. The company also cut its forecast for operating income.

Spain’s main stock index is down 2 per cent on reports the government in Catalonia will declare independence.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index was down a fraction of a point at 2,533.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 8 points, less than 0.1 per cent, to 22,650, and the Nasdaq composite fell 4 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 6,527.