Wall Street marks fresh record highs for NASDAQ, S&P 500

US stock indices opened higher on Wednesday, with NASDAQ and S&P 500 marking 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. 

As of 03:36 GMT, Standard and Poor's 500 rose 0.27%, or 6.70 points to 2,5467.31, while Dow Jones added 0.10%, or 21.13 points to 21,595.86. 

Tech-heavy NASDAQ rose 0.39%, or 24.43 points to 6,368.83.