S&P 500 ends higher after strong retail sales data

The S&P 500 climbed 0.28% to end the session at 4,147.61 points, the Nasdaq gained 0.92% to 12,070.59 points, while Dow rose 0.11% to 34,128.05 points. — Reuters

BENGALURU: The S&P 500 ended higher on Wednesday after stronger-than-expected retail sales data offered evidence of resilience in the US economy, but gains were capped as investors worried about more interest rate hikes by Federal Reserve in the months ahead.

A Commerce Department report showed retail sales surged 3% in January as purchases of motor vehicles and other goods pushed the number well past the 1.8% estimate from economists polled by Reuters.