US markets open higher and records look set to be broken

(Dow Jones) US stock benchmarks opened mostly higher on Friday, supported by data showing the US economy expanded at a solid 3% annual pace for a second straight quarter despite damages from two hurricanes.

A strong spate of quarterly results from technology giants, Amazon and Microsoft also helped lead the way higher.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, lagged behind the other equity gauges, down 20 points, or 0.1%, at 23,382, as shares of Chevron, Walt Disney and Merck weighed on the price-weighted average.

The technology-laden Nasdaq Composite Index, meanwhile, surged 92 points, or 1.4%, at 6,644, touching a fresh intraday record peak at 6,651.12, putting it on track for its highest one-day climb since 28 June, according to FactSet data.

The S&P 500 index added 9.5 points, or 0.4%, at 2,569, just shy of its intraday all-time high at 2,578.29.