Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] The major averages trade at their best levels after overcoming a weak start, though the Nasdaq has yet to make it into positive territory.

Today's early weakness resulted from profit taking in some of the largest stocks by market cap, but other areas of the market have filled that void. As a result, only two sectors remain in the red at this time while nine hold gains with six up at least 0.5%.

Health care (+0.8%) is today's leading sector, trying for its best close in a month with help from biotech names while insurers remain weak with Centene (CNC 32.94, -0.14, -0.44%) remaining at levels last seen in early 2017.