Banks and technology companies took U.S. stocks higher Tuesday, and less-loved sectors including phone and real estate companies also climbed as companies continued to report strong second-quarter results. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 6.05 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,476.35. Sprint had its best day this year after it said it's open to combining with another phone company or a cable company. Phone companies, real estate firms and utility all benefited because bond yields fell, which made the companies more attractive to investors who want income. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index added 0.3 percent while South Korea's Kospi climbed 0.8 percent.

Source: ABC News August 01, 2017 14:32 UTC