Stocks Close Higher, Dow and S&P Ring Up Records

U.S. stocks rose on Tuesday, with the Dow and S&P 500 ending at records as healthcare shares advanced and optimism grew about the global economy. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 40.07 points, or 0.23%, to 17,687.82. The S&P 500 gained 10.48 points, or 0.51%, to 2,051.80. The Nasdaq Composite added 31.44 points, or 0.67%, to 4,702.44.

With new-home sales growing at a torrid rate, eight builders raised $1.77 billion issuing new shares in 2013 and the first half of 2014, the sector’s first initial public offerings since 2004.

La-Z-Boy Inc. turned in quarterly earnings that soundly beat Wall Street’s expectations. It earned 37 cents a share in the second quarter. Sales rose to $365.6 million from $352.3 million. The company is also raising its quarterly dividend by 33% to 8 cents a share.

Walmart scoured the Black Friday ads of its competitors and will drop some of its prices a week early, starting Nov. 21. 0shares. Walmart Pre Black Friday.