Markets Right Now: Broad gains for US stocks, led by tech

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

4:00 p.m.

Stocks are closing broadly higher on Wall Street, led by solid gains in big technology companies.

Facebook climbed 2.3 percent Wednesday, and Microsoft rose 1.7 percent.

Airlines rose after United Continental and American Airlines reported solid results for June. United jumped 4.7 percent and American gained 4.2 percent.

NRG Energy soared 29 percent after announcing plans to raise up to $4 billion through asset sales in a bid to lower debt.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 17 points, or 0.7 percent, to 2,443.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 123 points, or 0.6 percent, to 21,532, a record high.

The Nasdaq composite rose 67 points, or 1.1 percent, to 6,261.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 2.32 percent.

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11:45 a.m.

Stocks are broadly higher in midday trading on Wall Street, as technology, airlines and real estate companies post solid gains.

Facebook gained 1.9 percent Wednesday, and Microsoft climbed 1.3 percent.

Airlines rose after United Continental and American Airlines reported solid results for June.

NRG Energy soared 19 percent after announcing plans to raise up to $4 billion through asset sales in bid to lower debt.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 16 points, or 0.7 percent, to 2,441.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 115 points, or 0.5 percent, to 21,524. The Dow was trading just below it latest record high close.

The Nasdaq composite rose 56 points, or 0.9 percent, to 6,250.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 2.31 percent.

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9:35 a.m.

Stocks are opening solidly higher on Wall Street, led by gains in technology companies.

Microsoft and Facebook each rose 1 percent in early trading Wednesday.

Most sectors were higher except for banks. Bank of America lost 1 percent.

NRG Energy soared 16 percent after announcing plans to raise up to $4 billion through asset sales in bid to lower debt.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 16 points, or 0.7 percent, to 2,441.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 130 points, or 0.6 percent, to 21,538. The Dow was trading above it latest record high close.

The Nasdaq composite rose 49 points, or 0.8 percent, to 6,242.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 2.31 percent.