Stocks climbed higher on Thursday as the latest batch of earnings reports and economic readings helped support another record day on Wall Street.

The S&P 500 Index (SPY  ) rose 0.5% to a record close of 6,797.36, marking the index's ninth all-time high so far this year. The Nasdaq Composite (QQQ  ) also advanced to all-time heights on Thursday, rising about 0.8% to its tenth record this year of 20,884.27. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DIA  ), meanwhile, added 230 points to close at 44,484.49.

Boosting investor optimism, U.S. retail sales increased at a more-than-expected rate in June, the Commerce Department reported Thursday, signalling that consumers are remaining strong amid the initial effects of President Donald Trump's tariffs across the broader economy. Sales rose 0.6% month-to-month, well above May's unrevised decline of 0.9%. Annually, headline retail sales advanced 3.9%.

Core retail sales, which exclude autos, gasoline, building materials and food services rose 0.5% in June after May's downwardly revised growth of 0.2%.

In other economic news, homebuilder confidence was muted in July as builders continue to be met by waning demand from potential buyers, the National Association of Home Builders monthly survey showed Thursday. The index rose 1 point to 33, coming below last July's print of 41 and marking the fifteenth straight month of negative sentiment.

"Single-family housing starts will post a decline in 2025 due to ongoing housing affordability challenges," said Robert Dietz, chief economist at the NAHB, in a statement. "Single-family permits are down 6& on a year-to-date basis and builder traffic in the HMI is at a more than two-year low."

On the earnings front, beverage and snack giant PepsiCo (PEP  ) reported strong second-quarter results on Thursday, sending shares more than 7% higher. CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company expect to reach the low-end of its long-term organic revenue growth outlook of 4% to 6% "in the next few quarters" as it forecasts North American demand will rebound with its turnaround strategy efforts.

United Airlines (UAL  ) also posted better-than-expected second-quarter earnings after market on Wednesday, and issued a new full-year forecast to reflect a projected rebound in travel demand in the second half of the year. The company expects to post adjusted earnings of between $9 and $11 per share in 2025, coming in at the middle of its two scenario outlook from April: $11.50 to $13.50 a share in a stable economic environment and $7 and $9 a share in a "recessionary environment."

"The world is less uncertain today than it was during the first six months of 2025 and that gives us confidence about a strong finish to the year," CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement.

Also in the news, shares of high fructose corn syrup producer Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM  ) fell on Thursday after President Trump said in a post on Truth Social that Coca-Cola (KO  ) has agreed to use real cane sugar in its drinks in the United States.

"I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so. I'd like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola," Trump wrote on his social media platform late Wednesday. "This will be a very good move by them -- You'll see. It's just better!"

Looking ahead, much of mark attention will turn towards Netflix's (NFLX  ) earnings report on Friday, which is due out after hours on Thursday. Bernstein analyst Lauren Yoonwrote in a note to clients on Thursday that the streaming giant's fundamentals are expected to support its strength regardless of its earnings results. The firm also reiterated its Outperform rating and raised its price target to $1,390 from $1,200.

"Whether Q2 results beat expectations -- supporting momentum -- or fall short -- potentially triggering near-term swings -- we do not see a compelling reason to be bearish in the foreseeable future to question the underlying fundamentals or the long-term value of the company," Yoon wrote. "We believe Netflix can reach the Trillion Dollar Club through the fundamental PxQ algorithm, without having to rely on an aggressive market multiple. That said, we expect the stock to trade at a premium, reflecting its moat and the strength of its underlying fundamentals."