The S&P 500 and Dow ended at record highs on Tuesday, shrugging off weak consumer confidence data, as mining stocks surged following China's announcement of a sweeping stimulus package.

The S&P 500 was headed for its 42 record close of the year on Thursday, pushed higher by a surge in stocks of companies that make materials used to support manufacturing. The S&P 500 was up 19 points, or 0.3%, near 5,741, at last check.

The Dow and the S&P 500 closed at a record high. Markets are waiting for September inflation data, a key data point ahead of the Fed's next move.