NEW YORK, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended higher on Tuesday as investors looked ahead to Nvidia's quarterly report later this week.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 9.98 points, or 0.02 percent, to 41,250.5. The S&P 500 added 8.96 points, or 0.16 percent, to 5,625.8. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased 29.06 points, or 0.16 percent, to 17,754.82.
Six of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in green, with technology and financials leading the gainers by going up 0.63 percent and 0.48 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, energy and utilities led the laggards by dropping 0.93 percent and 0.74 percent, respectively.
On the economic data front, The Conference Board reported Tuesday that its consumer confidence index increased to 103.3 in August, up from 101.9 in July. This index reflected Americans' views on current economic conditions and their expectations for the next six months.
The short-term expectations index, which gauges Americans' outlook on income, business, and the job market, climbed to 82.5 in August. July's figure was revised upward to 81.1 from the initial 78.2, breaking a five-month streak of readings below 80, a level indicating a potential recession is on the horizon.
The major focus for markets this week will be on Wednesday after the closing bell when Nvidia releases its quarterly results. Anticipation is high, with many expecting the AI chipmaker to once again exceed Wall Street's estimates. Shares of Nvidia advanced 1.46 percent on Tuesday.
"There's very little economic data of importance until after Nvidia, so you really are in a kind of wait-and-see," said Baird analyst Ross Mayfield. "The trend in the market right now is a rotation away from tech and so Nvidia could change all of that tomorrow, but until then, I think the predominant trend in the market is going to stay put, and you have this light volume, listless market as you wait."
"Over the very near-term, our sense is that Nvidia's earnings report after the close on Wednesday will set the tone for markets before the key payrolls report on Sept. 6," wrote Chris Senyek from Wolfe Research.
