Markets Right Now: Tech, retailers lead stock gains

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

11:45 a.m.

Stock prices are moving higher in midday trading as traders return from the New Year’s holiday.

Technology stocks and retailers rose more than the rest of the market in midday trading Tuesday.

Facebook gained 2.3 per cent and Nordstrom rose 4.1 per cent.

Natural gas prices climbed 2 per cent as cold weather continued to grip large parts of the U.S.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 15 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 2,689.

The Dow Jones industrial average increased 40 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 24,761. The Nasdaq composite climbed 82 points, or 1.2 per cent, to 6,986.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.46 per cent.

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9:35 a.m.

Stock prices are moving higher in early trading as traders return from the New Year’s holiday.

Retailers were up more than the rest of the market in early trading Tuesday. Nordstrom rose 3.7 per cent and Kohl’s gained 3.3 per cent.

Natural gas prices climbed 3.7 per cent as cold weather continued to grip large parts of the U.S.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 9 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 2,682.

The Dow Jones industrial average increased 123 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 24,844. The Nasdaq composite climbed 27 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 6,932.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.43 per cent.