NASDAQ, S&P 500 sit atop new record highs

US stock indices closed higher on Wednesday, with NASDAQ and S&P 500 hitting fresh record highs, led by tech and healthcare shares, while the second-quarter earnings season for major American banks and corporations continues to unfold.

Earlier US data showed building permits up 8.3% in June to 1.215 million, while housing starts jumped 7.4% to 1.254 million, besting analysts' expectations. 

Dow Jones rose 0.31%, or 66.02 points to 21,640.75, while Standard and Poor's 500 added 0.54%, or 13.22 points to 2,473.83. NASDAQ Composite advanced 0.64%, or 40.74 points to 6,385.04. 

Gold futures due on August 16 shed 0.06% to $1,241.20 an ounce from the opening of $1,241.90, while the dollar index rose 0.22% to 94.81 from the opening of 94.81. 

Otherwise, US crude futures due on August 16 jumped 1.55% to $47.12 a barrel from the opening of $46.40, while Brent crude futures due on September 15 rallied 1.78% to $49.71 a barrel from the opening of $48.84.