MARKET SNAPSHOT: U.S. Stocks Push Higher; Dow Up 100 Points

By Anora Mahmudova and Carla Mozee, MarketWatch

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. stock market opened higher Wednesday, led by gains in the health-care and technology sectors.

The gains were broad-based, with even consumer plays up despite softer-than-expected retails sales data as well as disappointing quarterly results from retailers such as Macy's Inc. and Fossil Group Inc.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) added 102 points, or 0.6%, to 16,639.

The S&P 500 (SPX) climbed 13 points, or 0.7%, to 1,947. Amazon.com Inc. led gains, while retailers were among the biggest decliners.

Also read: Retailer shares take a beating.

The Nasdaq Composite (RIXF) added 39 points, or 0.9%, at 4,428.

Sales at U.S. retailers were unchanged in July, the weakest result in six months, as sales fell at auto dealers, but rose at gas stations and food and beverage stores, according to government data released Wednesday.

Individual stocks

Amazon.com Inc.(AMZN) climbed as the company launched a new mobile payment service using a smartphone or tablet. Also read: For retailers, Amazon is sexier than eBay

Shares of Macy's Inc. (M) fell following a disappointing outlook and second-quarter sales that fell short of estimates.

Shares of SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. (SEAS) plunged after the theme-park operator reported second-quarter results fell short and the company cut its full-year sales outlook.

King Digital Entertainment (KING) sank after disappointing quarterly results from the "Candy Crush" triggered a wave of ratings downgrades from analysts. (Read more about the day's notable movers here: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/king-macys-among-stocks-to-watch-wednesday-2014-08-13.)

Networking-gear maker Cisco Systems (CSCO) will release results after the close of Wednesday's trading session.

Elsewhere, oil futures (CLU4) fell, and gold futures (GCZ4) rose. Asian markets overnight closed higher, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng climbing 0.8%. In the U.K., the pound (GBPUSD) dropped sharply against the U.S. dollar as prospects dimmed for an interest-rate hike before the end of the year.

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