03:45 PM EDT, 07/17/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US benchmark equity indexes are on track to close higher on Thursday as investors parse the latest corporate earnings and stronger-than-expected June retail sales.

The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.8% to 20,901.16, the S&P 500 rose 0.6% to 6,301.64, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.6% to 44,520.27. Among sectors, financials and technology led the gainers while health care was the lone decliner.

Albemarle (ALB) shares rose 8.2%, the biggest increase on the S&P. RBC Capital Markets raised its price target on the stock to $80 from $76 and kept its outperform rating.

PepsiCo ( PEP ) shares advanced 7.5%, the second-largest gain on the S&P, after fiscal Q2 results showed a surprise revenue increase and an improved full-year earnings outlook amid easing foreign-exchange headwinds.

Elevance Health ( ELV ) shares fell 14%, the biggest drop on the S&P, after the company cut its full-year earnings guidance following a quarterly miss.

The 10-year US Treasury yield was little changed at 4.462%, while the two-year rate increased 2.7 basis points to 3.93%.

August West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 1.8% to $67.59 a barrel.