12:18 PM EST, 12/24/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes rose ahead of the close on Wednesday amid better-than-expected jobless claims data, as markets prepare for an early close.

The Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.2% to 23,609.6, with the S&P 500 up 0.3% to 6,932.8 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average 0.5% higher at 48,715.1. Consumer staples and real estate were among the top gainers.

The CBOE Volatility Index fell 3.6% to 13.49.

In economic news, initial weekly jobless claims for the week ended Dec. 20 came in at 214,000, compared with 224,000 in the week prior and expectations for no change in a survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.

For the week ended Dec. 19, mortgage applications fell 5% from a decline of 3.8% in the week prior, according to the latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly survey.

US Treasury yields fell, with the two-year down by less than a basis point to 3.518%, while the 10-year yield declined by 2.8 basis points to 4.141%.

In company news, Nike ( NKE ) shares were up 4.7% after a disclosure that Apple ( AAPL ) Chief Executive Tim Cook has bought 50,000 shares worth over $2.9 million at an average buying price of $58.97. Apple ( AAPL ) shares rose 1.1%.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures rose 0.2% to $58.51 a barrel, while Brent futures shed 0.1% to $62.35.