New York (AFP)

The main indices of the New York Stock Exchange rose quietly to new levels Tuesday, supported in particular by the growth of a few large groups in the distribution.

Its flagship index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, gained 0.20% to finish at 28,121.68 points, Nasdaq, with strong technological color, has appreciated 0.18% to finish at 8,647.93 points and 'S & P 500 broad index took 0.22% to 3,140.52 points.

In this week of Thanksgiving, which will result in a US holiday on Thursday and a shortened session on Friday, "the market has remained calm, light volumes," observed Sam Stovall, of CFRA.

Investors' attention remained focused on the possible conclusion of a so-called Phase 1+ partial trade agreement between China and the United States. If no concrete progress was reported on Tuesday, positive signals were sent.

US President Donald Trump said: "We are in the home stretch before reaching a very important agreement, perhaps one of the most important trade agreements in history."

China News Agency reported earlier in the day that Chinese and US negotiators spoke on Tuesday morning and agreed to stay in touch in order to reach a "preliminary agreement".

Market participants also digested Tuesday a series of quarterly results of the distribution sector, those of the electronics chain Best Buy (+ 9.86%) and the outdoor article chain Dick's Sporting Goods (+ 18, 62) being particularly well received.

The US indicators of the day were not as bright: consumer confidence eased slightly in November, according to the Conference Board index, while new home sales fell in October, according to the Commerce Department . These sales, however, are showing a sharp rise over one year.

In the bond market, the 10-year rate of US debt was 1.736%, against 1.755% at the close on Monday.

The positive trend is also related to the good performance in recent days of the Russell 2.000 index which includes small-cap companies, according to Sam Stovall.

"This index has finally managed to pass above a level of resistance that it had not managed to overcome for 12 months," he said. For some investors, "it is important to see that the rise of Wall Street is not only driven by the largest companies," he said.

© 2019 AFP