2017.07.2522:07:00UTC+00Wall Street Advanced as S&P 500 Hits Record Peak

U.S.equities climbed on Tuesday after a series of major firms posted better-than-expected quarterly results.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.47 percent at 21,613.43, as Caterpillar and McDonald's contributed the most advances. The S&P 500 climbed 0.3 percent to reach intraday and closing records, as financials, materials and energy rose over one percent to lead gainers. The index ended at 2,477.08.

The Nasdaq composite added 0.02 percent but still managed to hit intraday and closing records. The index ended the session at 6,412.17.

Caterpillar reported bottom-line results that exceeded estimates, which sent its shares higher. The company jumped 5.9 percent after it raised its full-year outlook for the second time this year.

Shares of McDonald's climbed 4.8 percent after the fast-food chain posted robust global sales.

The energy, materials and financials sector climbed nearly one percent. Healthcare was the worst-performing group as it dropped 0.7 percent.

3M reported weaker-than-expected results, which sent the stock lower by six percent. Shares of 3M shed 73 points from the Dow. Shares of Eli Lilly fell 3.0 percent after the drugmaker outlined a delay for its experimental rheumatoid arthritis drug.