Markets were higher after data indicated American consumer spending remained strong.
The S&P 500 rose 1.5% in midday trading to 2,889.19.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1.2% to 25,877.22.
The Nasdaq jumped 1.7% to 7,899.98.
The yield on a 10-year Treasury bond increased 1.9% to 1.56%.
The price of gold fell 0.5% to $1,524.
The price of oil increased 0.2% to $54.60 a barrel.
HEALTHCARE
Irvine-based Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (NYSE: EW) increased 2.2% to $219.93 and a $45.7 billion market cap. The maker of heart valves, the most highly valued publicly traded company in Orange County, reported the FDA approved the use of new heart valve systems for patients at low risk for surgical intervention.
RESTAURANTS
BJ’s Restaurants Inc. (Nasdaq: BJRI) jumped 9.5% to $35.83 and a $733 million market cap. Chief Executive Greg Trojan yesterday purchased $474,000 worth of shares, GuruFocus.com website reported yesterday.
