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| - Wall Street stocks edged up from records early Tuesday as United Airlines announced a huge new jet order, while major US banks unveiled new programs to reward shareholders. Markets continued to digest mixed trends on the coronavirus, with the world surpassing three billion Covid-19 vaccines, according to an AFP tally. On the downside, Ireland became the latest country to shift policy due to the Delta variant, delaying a plan to lift indoor dining restrictions. About 30 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.3 percent at 34,393.14. The broad-based S&P 500 and tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index each added 0.1 percent to record closes on Monday, rising to 4,296.58 and 14,507.64, respectively. The records came amid easing concerns about inflation ahead of significant US economic releases later this week. United Airlines shares were choppy, rising initially but slipping 0.3 percent later in the session following an announcement of a record new plane order. United plans to acquire 270 new planes consisting of 200 Boeing aircraft and 70 Airbus jets in the biggest bet thus far by a major carrier on a travel industry recovery from Covid-19. Boeing rose 1.0 percent. Large banks were mixed following a series of announcements of new dividend and share repurchase programs after performing well in Federal Reserve stress tests last week. Morgan Stanley gained 3.1 percent, while Bank of America dipped 0.5 percent. jmb/hs
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