NEW YORK - The latest on developments in financial markets (All times local):

4:15 p.m.

U.S. stocks are closing at record highs as health care companies lead the market broadly higher.

Energy companies were the main laggard on Monday as the price of crude oil plunged. Halliburton dropped 1 per cent.

Nordstrom dropped 6.3 per cent following a report that talks to take the department store company private were stalling.

Spain's main stock index fell after reports of widespread violence and unrest as the Catalan region voted on an independence referendum.

The Standard & Poor's 500 rose 10 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 2,529.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 153 points, or 0.7 per cent, to 22,558. The Nasdaq composite rose 21 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 6,517.

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11:45 a.m.

U.S. stocks are on track for more record highs as health care companies lead the market broadly higher.

Energy companies were the main laggard in midday trading on Monday as the price of crude oil plunged. Halliburton dropped 1.8 per cent.

Nordstrom dropped 7 per cent following a report that talks to take the department store company private were stalling.

Spain's main stock index is falling after reports of widespread violence and unrest as the Catalan region voted on an independence referendum.

The Standard & Poor's 500 rose 4 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 2,523.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 76 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 22,481. The Nasdaq composite rose 4 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 6,500.

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9:35 a.m.

Stocks opened the first day of trading in the fourth quarter on a positive note, edging further into record territory.

Most industry sectors were higher in early trading Monday, led by gains in technology companies. Chipmaker Nvidia rose 1.2 per cent and business software maker Oracle gained 1 per cent.

Energy stocks lagged the market as the price of crude oil dropped nearly 3 per cent. Cabot Oil & Gas gave up 1.3 per cent.

Stocks in Spain fell 1.9 per cent after a chaotic secession vote over the weekend in the Spanish region of Catalonia.

The Standard & Poor's 500 rose 2 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 2,521.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 29 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 22,438. The Nasdaq rose 13 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 6,509.

News from © The Associated Press, 2017