Stocks scored back-to-back gains on Tuesday as investors waited on an inflation update due Wednesday from the June consumer-price index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted a near 317-point gain, advancing 0.9%, to end near 34,260, according to preliminary FactSet data. That marks its biggest daily percentage gain since June 15, according to FactSet. The S&P 500 index closed up 0.7%, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 0.6%. Stocks have been on the upswing ahead of a key inflation reading for June, with consumer price index expect to show further progress in retreat from its peak above 9% last summer. The Federal Reserve has indicated it likely has a few more rate hikes on tap this year to help bring inflation down toward its 2% annual target. Investors also will be tuning into second-quarter earnings, which kick off in earnest later in the week with results from some of the nation’s biggest banks.
