NEW YORK: Major US stock indices closed at records for the second straight session on Tuesday as optimism over US-China trade talks offset a somewhat lower consumer confidence reading.The broad-based S&P 500 gained 6.87 points to 3,140.51, along with the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index, which stood at 8,647.93.Analysts pointed to reports in Chinese state media that depicted the long-running trade talks as still on track to finalise a"phase one agreement.
Data from the Conference Board estimated consumer confidence in November at 125.5, below the October level and under expectations. Among individual companies, Best Buy surged almost 10 per cent as it reported better-than-expected third-quarter earnings and offered an upbeat outlook on the holiday season.