An equal-weighted version of the S&P 500 — where the likes of Nvidia Corp. carry the same heft as Dollar Tree Inc. — outpaced the US equity benchmark. That index is less sensitive to gains from the biggest companies — providing a glimpse of hope the rally will broaden out.

Retail sales data out Tuesday further validated investors’ belief that the Fed had achieved a so-called soft landing with the economy.

Investing.com-- U.S. stock index futures steadied in evening deals on Sunday amid speculation over whether an attack on presidential candidate Donald Trump improved his chances of victory. Uncertainty over the U.