Major US stock indexes finished trading in positive territory, helped by the success of technology stocks, and a strong season of reports for the second quarter, which strengthened investors' optimism about the strength of the US economy.

Meanwhile, the JOLTS survey published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that in June the number of vacancies increased only to 6.662 million from 6.659 million in May (revised from 6.638 million). Analysts had expected the number of vacancies to drop to 6.666 million. The vacancy rate was 4.3 percent, unchanged from May. The number of vacancies has changed little in the private sector and in the government sector. As for industries, the number of vacancies has increased in the educational sector (+20,000), but declined in the transportation, warehousing and utilities segment (-84,000).

In addition, the report showed that the index of economic optimism in the US, calculated by the newspaper Investor's Business Daily and the research firm TechnoMetrica Institute of Policy and Politics, again improved in August, and was higher than the forecasts of experts. The index rose to 58.0 points from 56.4 points in June, while experts expected that it would rise only to 57.2 points. The index recorded a fourth increase in a row and reached the highest level during President Trump's time. Recall, the value of the index above 50 points indicates optimism. It should be emphasized that the index is above the level of 50 points for 23 consecutive months (since October 2016), which is the longest series in the history of this study, that is, more than a decade.

Most components of DOW have finished trading in positive territory (21 out of 30). Caterpillar Inc. was the growth leader. (CAT, + 2.14%). Outsider were the shares of Apple Inc. (AAPL, -0.91%).

Most sectors of the S & P recorded a rise. The sector of industrial goods grew most (+ 0.8%), while the utilities sector showed the greatest decrease (-0.4%).

At closing:

Dow 25,628.91 +126.73 +0.50%

S&P 500 2,858.45 +8.05 +0.28%

Nasdaq 100 7,883.66 +23.99 +0.31%

U.S. stock-index futures rose moderately on Tuesday, as strong corporate earnings lifted investors' sentiment in the absence of new information regarding the U.S.-China trade spat. In addition, oil price rose, as supply concerns resurfaced as the first round of renewed U.S. sanctions on Iran took effect, supporting energy stocks as well.

Global Stocks:

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Caterpillar (CAT) target lowered to $168 from $174 at Stifel

Travelers (TRV) initiated with Neutral at Credit Suisse