Major US stock indexes rose on Tuesday, as the rise in prices for Walmart shares offset the fall in the financial and health sectors.

The value of Walmart shares rose 2.23% after the company reported exceeding expectations for quarterly earnings. The retailer also reported that online sales soared 43% y / y in the last quarter. Strong company data brought relief to investors with investments in retail stocks, after weak retail data released last week put pressure on the segment.

The focus of market participants also continues to be trade negotiations between the United States and China. Both countries must close the deal by early March. Otherwise, additional US tariffs for Chinese goods may come into force. US President Donald Trump recently made it clear that he can extend the period by 60 days to give negotiators more time to conclude a deal.

Data on the USA also had a definite influence on the course of trading. A report from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) showed that home builders felt better about the state of their industry, as lower interest rates increase consumer confidence. According to a monthly survey, the NAHB housing market index rose to 62 points from 58 points in January. Analysts had expected the index to rise only to 59 points.

Most of the components of DOW recorded an increase (17 of 30). The growth leader was Walmart Inc. (WMT, + 2.23%). The outsider was NIKE, Inc. (NKE, -0.73%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P finished trading in positive territory. The raw materials sector grew the most (+ 0.9%). Only the health sector decreased (-0.2%).

At the time of closing:

Dow 25,891.32 +8.07 +0.03%

S & P 500 2,779.76 +4.16 +0.15%

Nasdaq 100 7,486.77 +14.36 +0.19%

U.S. stock-index fell moderately on Tuesday, as traders awaited new details to emerge from the latest round of U.S.-China trade negotiations.

Global Stocks:

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Citigroup; target raised to $16

McDonald's (MCD) upgraded to Overweight from Equal-Weight at Stephens; target raised to $200

Wal-Mart (WMT) reported Q4 FY 2019 earnings of $1.41 per share (versus $1.33 in Q4 FY 2018), beating analysts’ consensus estimate of $1.33.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $137.743 bln (+1.9% y/y), generally in line with analysts’ consensus estimate of $137.630 bln.

The company also reaffirmed guidance for FY 2020, projecting EPS down low-single digits from $4.91 (versus analysts’ consensus estimate of $4.71) and net sales growth of at least 3% y/y in constant currency.

WMT rose to $104.83 (+4.84%) in pre-market trading.