US STOCKS-S&P 500, Nasdaq hit record as investors eye fiscal stimulus

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* Weekly jobless claims at 885,000 vs 862,000 in prior week
* S&P 500 tech, consumer discretionary sectors hit record
highs
* Alphabet dips after states file antitrust complaint
* Indexes: Dow +0.44%, S&P 500 +0.53%, Nasdaq +0.68%

(Updates to afternoon)
By Noel Randewich and Karen Pierog
Dec 17 (Reuters) - Technology shares lifted the S&P 500 and
the Nasdaq to record highs on Thursday as investors grew more
optimistic about a coronavirus stimulus bill, helping markets
look past signs of economic strain brought on by the COVID-19
pandemic.
The S&P 500 technology .SPLRCT and consumer discretionary
.SPLRCD indexes also hit record highs, up 0.6% and 0.4%,
respectively.
A surge in technology outsourcing firm Accenture ACN.N
gave the S&P 500 its strongest lift.
Top Republicans and Democrats grew closer to agreeing on a
fresh round of aid in response to a crisis that has killed more
than 304,000 Americans and thrown millions out of work.
Many investors saw the passing of new measures to support
the economy as imminent after data showed the number of
Americans filing first-time claims for jobless benefits
unexpectedly rose last week. That followed a reading on Wednesday that showed U.S. retail
sales falling more than expected in November, as consumer
spending remained constrained. "It's all about stimulus today and expectations of a pathway
to the deal," said Ryan Giannotto, director of research at
GraniteShares in New York City.
Developments on the vaccine front were also lifting the
market, with Moderna Inc MRNA.O awaiting U.S. approval for
deploying what would be the nation's second COVID-19 vaccine.
Moderna's stock jumped 4%. The S&P 500 has climbed 15% in 2020, despite the economic
destruction caused by the coronavirus.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI was up 0.44% at
30,285.97 points, while the S&P 500 .SPX gained 0.53% to
3,720.69.
The Nasdaq Composite .IXIC added 0.68% to 12,744.90.
The Russell 2000 index .RUT of smaller companies rose 1%
and also hit a record high, now up 18% year to date.
"In the very short term, I think we are a little bit over
bought here," said Randy Frederick, vice president of trading
and derivatives at Charles Schwab.
He noted that best-performing sectors like technology were
most at risk of a pull back, while some of the "more unloved
sectors" like financials and energy were getting fresh attention
as investors looked for bargains.
Google-parent Alphabet GOOGL.O dipped 1% after a group of
38 U.S. states and territories filed an antitrust complaint
accusing Google of trying to extend its search monopoly to
dominate smart speakers, televisions and cars. Accenture jumped 8% after it raised its annual sales
forecast and beat quarterly revenue estimates as an extended
work-from-home period boosted its digital, cloud and security
services. General Mills Inc GIS.N rose 1% after it beat
second-quarter profit estimates, boosted by sales of its pet
foods and baking products. Advancing issues outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by a
1.94-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 1.92-to-1 ratio favored advancers.
The S&P 500 posted 35 new 52-week highs and no new lows; the
Nasdaq Composite recorded 233 new highs and 10 new lows.