Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] The major averages are trading in a tight range near their session highs as the market enters the final half hour of trading. 

Today's advance has seen the S&P 500 (+1.1%) and Nasdaq Composite (+1.3%) chart new record high intraday levels. The S&P 500 would need to shed 0.8% from its current level to miss out on a record closing high today, while the Nasdaq Composite would need to slide 1.0% to miss out on a record close of its own.

The consumer staples sector has fought back to its flatline, with all eleven S&P 500 sectors now at or above their opening levels. 

Crude oil futures settled today's session 1.3% lower at $63.17 per barrel, the lowest closing level since early June.