US Equity Indexes on Track to Close Higher in Shortened Trading

US benchmark stock indexes were higher around midday Tuesday in the Christmas Eve session set to close early at 1 pm ET.

The Nasdaq advanced 1% to 19,964.3, the S&P 500 rose 0.7% to 6,015.7 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.5% to 43,103.6.

All sectors were in the green, led by consumer discretionary.

Redbook US same-store sales accelerated by 5.9% from a year earlier in the week ended Dec. 21 from a 4.8% year-over-year increase in the previous week, noting increased demand for winter apparel due to colder weather across most of the country. Customer traffic increased on the Saturday before Christmas, to take advantage of discounts. There was an increase in sale of food items, especially at discount stores, as Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same date this year.

The Richmond Fed's monthly manufacturing index rose to a reading of minus 10 in December from minus 14 in November, indicating slower contraction. Released at the same time, the services revenue index increased to 23 in December from 9 in November, suggesting faster expansion.

In company news, The Federal Aviation Administration said the American Airlines Group (AAL) ground stop has been canceled. American had initiated a nationwide ground stop due to last almost two hours Tuesday, the FAA said, saying the issuance was upon the company's request. The airline told MT Newswires in an emailed statement that its flights were briefly affected this morning by a vendor technology issue, which has been resolved and that flights have resumed. The company's shares were down 0.1% in recent Tuesday trading.

Amazon.com's (AMZN) Project Kuiper is being considered as another option by British Airways owner IAG to equip its fleet with satellite-powered Wi-Fi, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing an interview with the airline group's head of innovation, Annalisa Gigante. Amazon shares were up 1.6% in recent trading.

The US 10-year Treasury yield rose 1.8 basis points to 4.62%. The two-year rate was relatively flat at 4.35%. The bond market will close early on Tuesday at 2 pm ET.

The US Dollar Index was up 0.2% to 108.24.

West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 1.4% to $70.24 per barrel.

Gold was up 0.2% at $2,632.60 an ounce. Silver rose 0.2% to $30.26 per ounce.