S&P 500, Nasdaq Reach Record Highs Amid Earnings, Fed Support

U.S. stock markets continued their recent rally, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite hitting fresh record highs, supported by strong earnings reports and positive economic data. The Nasdaq has closed at record levels for four consecutive days, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones also posted gains, buoyed by robust retail sales and softer-than-expected inflation figures. Investor optimism was further boosted by Federal Reserve Board Governor Christopher Waller's expressed support for a 25 basis point rate cut later this month, which helped ease bond yields. Notable corporate performances included gains in Charles Schwab and Chevron following positive earnings and acquisitions, while Netflix slipped despite beating revenue and EPS expectations. Railroad stock CSX saw unusually high bullish activity, shrugging off potential industry consolidation news, and Vistra Corp rebounded strongly after recent losses. Overall, the market's momentum is underpinned by steady economic indicators and encouraging corporate results, positioning indexes for weekly gains.