Midday Report: Drugmakers Make Comeback; U.S. Stocks at Records

U.S. stocks moved higher, putting indexes on pace to close at records again. The health care sector drove gains, making a comeback after a bruising week. Drugmakers were hit hard after President-elect Trump suggested he would target high drug prices. Consumer confidence improved in early December as the economy continued to recover and Wall Street held at highs. Sentiment climbed at a faster-pace than expected. Vail Resorts (MTN) - Get Report climbed despite suffering a weaker recent quarter tied to warmer November weather. The ski resort company reported a loss wider than it had seen in the year-ago quarter. Autodesk (ADSK) - Get Report was upgraded to BUY from HOLD at Canaccord. The firm says the company had an upbeat analyst day and can materially grow free cash flow in the next several quarters.