U.S. stocks pulled ahead on Tuesday, as investors shrugged off calls by President Trump for additional tariffs on Chinese goods. Cryptocurrencies faltered after a solid start to the week as bitcoin SV made its debut.
Stocks Finish Higher
Equities pulled ahead in the final hour of trading, with the S&P 500 Index registering gains of 0.3% to close at 2,682.20. Seven of 11 primary sectors contributed to the gains, led by the defensive consumer staples and utilities categories. Healthcare and the much smaller real estate sector also notched solid gains.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 108.49 points, or 0.4%, to 24,748.73. Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) and Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) were the biggest contributors.
The technology-focused Nasdaq Composite Index finished flat at 7,082.70.
Trump Threatens Additional China Tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump told The Wall Street Journal on Monday that he plans to move ahead with harsher tariffs on Chinese goods, lowering the prospect of an imminent trade deal later this week. China had requested that the president hold off on raising tariffs on $200 billion worth of U.S.-bound experts scheduled to come into effect Jan. 1. Trump not only said…