Dow, S&P 500 edge to records

New York - The Dow and S&P 500 edged to new records on Wednesday ahead of the official US jobs data for June, with the outlook buoyed by a strong ADP private sector report

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 20.17 points (0.12%) to 16 976.24 points, while the broad-based S&P 500 added 1.30 (0.07%) at 1 974.62. Both notched records for the second day in a row.

The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 0.92 (0.02%) to 4 457.73.

Payrolls company ADP said the private sector added 281 000 jobs in June, surging higher from 179 000 in May. That came ahead of Thursday's Department of Labour report on job creation and unemployment nationwide in June.

Dan Greenhaus, chief global strategist for BTIG, said Thursday's trade could be volatile due to the jobs report and the abbreviated period for placing trades. Markets close at 17:00 GMT on Thursday, three hours ahead of usual due to the US Independence Day holiday Friday, when markets are also closed.

Dow member JPMorgan Chase dipped 1.0% on news that chief executive Jamie Dimon will be treated for throat cancer. Dimon said the prognosis is good for a full recovery. Even so, the bank has a succession plan in place, a spokesperson said.

Tyson Foods shot up 2.9% after it announced it sealed an $8.6bn takeover of Hillshire Brands, concluding a bidding war with Brazilian-owned rival Pilgrim's Pride.

Airlines retreated after Delta Air Lines said June results were weighed down by lower business travel to Latin America due to the World Cup. Delta dropped 5.1%, while American Airlines fell 4.4% and United Continental lost 7.1%.

Beer and wine distributor Constellation Brands advanced 2.3% as first-quarter net income nearly quadrupled to $206.7m following its acquisition of Grupo Modelo's US beer business.

Agrotech company Monsanto advanced 1.8% as it announced $6bn in accelerated share repurchases.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury rose to 2.63% from 2.56% on Tuesday, while the 30-year advanced to 3.47% from 3.39%. Bond prices and yields move inversely.