Markets Right Now: US stocks closing higher; IBM surges

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

4:05 p.m.

Stocks are closing at record heights led by technology companies and banks amid a raft of quarterly earnings reports. The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 23,000 for the first time.

IBM jumped 8.9 percent Wednesday after it reported stronger sales than investors expected.

Drug and infant formula maker Abbott rose 1.3 percent after its third-quarter report.

Health insurers climbed. Anthem jumped 2.4 percent after announcing a prescription benefits management deal with CVS Health.

Video game publisher Electronic Arts fell 2.5 percent after delaying an upcoming "Star Wars" title.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 1.9 points or 0.1 percent to 2,561.26.

The Dow rose 160 points or 0.7 percent to 23,157.60. The Nasdaq composite gained less than a point to 6,624.22.

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12:15 p.m.

Stocks are trading higher led by health care companies and banks, putting major indexes on track for more records amid a raft of quarterly earnings reports.

IBM jumped 9.5 percent Wednesday after it reported stronger sales than investors expected.

Drug and infant formula maker Abbott rose 1.7 percent after its third-quarter report.

Health insurers climbed. Anthem jumped 3.3 percent after announcing a prescription benefits management deal with CVS Health.

Video game publisher Electronic Arts fell 3.6 percent after delaying an upcoming "Star Wars" title.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 2.3 points or 0.1 percent to 2,561.65.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 148 points or 0.6 percent to 23,144. The Nasdaq composite gained 4 points or 0.1 percent to 6,628.

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9:45 a.m.

Stocks are opening higher as health care companies and banks rise, putting major indexes on track for more records.

IBM jumped 8.1 percent Wednesday after it reported stronger sales than investors expected.

Drug and infant formula maker Abbott rose 1.4 percent after its third-quarter report.

Health insurers climbed. Anthem jumped 5.2 percent after announcing a prescription benefits management deal with CVS Health.

Video game publisher Electronic Arts fell 3.5 percent after delaying an upcoming "Star Wars" title.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 3.5 points or 0.1 percent to 2,562.80.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 111 points or 0.5 percent to 23,108. The Nasdaq composite gained 6.2 points or 0.1 percent to 6,630.