01:05 PM EDT, 07/17/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes advanced after midday Thursday, buoyed by technology gains and stronger-than-expected June retail sales.

The Nasdaq rose 0.8% to 20,894.3, touching a record intraday high of 20,911.83. The S&P 500 added 0.5% to 6,293.3, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.3% to 44,378.6. Consumer discretionary outperformed, while healthcare led decliners.

Retail sales rose 0.6% in June, outpacing the 0.1% forecast and rebounding from a 0.9% drop in May. Excluding motor vehicles, sales climbed 0.5%; excluding both motor vehicles and flat gasoline station figures, sales increased 0.6%.

The NAHB housing market index ticked up to 33 in July from 32 in June, matching estimates. Still, the gauge remains below 41 recorded a year ago. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Fed's manufacturing index surged to 15.9 in July from minus 4, ahead of forecasts for a minus 1 print.

Treasury yields were mixed as the 10-year yield was steady at 4.44%, while the two-year yield rose 2.8 basis points to 3.91%.

Fed Governor Adriana Kugler said rates should remain steady amid tariff-driven inflation risks and labor market strength. She warned that recent price data suggest broadening inflation pressures, with tariffs likely to amplify the trend.

In company news, Elevance Health ( ELV ) shares sank 11% intraday, the worst performer on the S&P 500, after the company reported a decline in Q2 adjusted earnings.

PepsiCo ( PEP ) jumped 6.7% intraday, among the top performers on the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq, after the company posted fiscal Q2 core earnings and revenue that topped analysts' estimates and lifted its fiscal 2025 core profit outlook.

Travelers (TRV) shares climbed 2.6% intraday, the top gainer on the Dow, after the company reported higher Q2 core income and revenue.

In commodities, West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 1.6% to $67.41 a barrel.

Gold futures fell 0.4% to $3,344.5 an ounce.