Dow Jones, S&P 500 end at fresh record highs

US stock indices closed the fourth session of the week higher, with Dow Jones and S&P 500 marking record highs, while NASDAQ passed 8,000, as the tech sector led the charge higher, while markets price in the mounting US-China trade dispute as less damaging than initially thought. 

US Labor, Housing Data

Earlier US data showed unemployment claims fell 3 thousand in the week ending September 15 to 201 thousand from 204 thousand, besting estimates of 210 thousand, while continuing claims fell to 1.645 million in the week ending September 8, beating estimates of 1.705 million. 

The Philly manufacturing index rose to 22.9 from 11.9, beating expectations of 17.5. 

US existing home sales were unchanged in August at an annualized 5.34 million units, compared to a 0.7% dip in July, while analysts expected a 0.5% increase to 5.37 million. 

Indices, Commodities 

Dow Jones rose 0.95%, or 251.22 points to 26,656.98, while Standard and Poor's 500 rallied 0.78%, or 22.80 points to 2,930.75. NASDAQ Composite spiked 0.98%, or 78.19 points to 8,028.23. 

Gold futures due in December rose 0.31% to $1,212.10 an ounce, hitting week highs, while the dollar index declined 0.69% to 93.88, marking July 9 lows. 

US crude futures due in October fell 0.45% to $70.80 a barrel, while Brent November futures slid 1.01% to $78.60 a barrel, as President Donald Trump urged OPEC to drive prices lower.