S&P higher as Yellen remarks boost bank stocks

The S&P 500 was within shouting distance of its record high on Thursday as bank stocks got a boost after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen indicated the central bank was on track to raise interest rates at its meeting next month. The Nasdaq was set for another day of gains, boosted by Microsoft and Apple . The Dow, which snapped its seven-day rally on Wednesday, was little changed, weighed down by a fall in Wal-Mart .