Bank Stocks Drive Dow Higher for Seventh Consecutive Session

U.S. stocks rose, driven by strong Q2 earnings from banks such as Bank of America and Morgan Stanley. The Dow Jones Industrial Average recorded its seventh consecutive session of gains, its longest streak in over two years. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also climbed to 15-month highs. Technology stocks performed well, with Microsoft reaching a record close. Retail sales in June were slightly lower than expected, but overall economic resilience and a solid labor market have contributed to the recent rally in equities.