Stocks edged higher in early trading Wednesday as investors remained optimistic about trade negotiations while a report showed that the economy continued growing at a modest rate over the summer.

The major indexes have been reaching record highs this week as the U.S. and China signal that talks are going well.

The latest economic data on Wednesday also helped reinforce Wall Street’s confidence in the economy’s health. The Commerce Department said the economy grew at a 2.1% rate last quarter, outpacing economists’ forecasts. The government also reported a surprisingly good increase in orders to U.S. factories.

Technology companies moved higher. Nvidia rose 1.3% and Texas Instruments gained 1%.

Communications companies and banks also made gains.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 1.76% from 1.74% late Tuesday.

Industrial companies were the biggest losers, with Boeing and Deere taking significant dips.

The U.S.-China trade war remains the key focus for Wall Street as a Dec. 15 deadline nears for new tariffs on many Chinese-made items on holiday shopping checklists, such as smartphones and laptops. Investors hope that negotiations can progress enough to at least help suspend the scheduled escalation if the nations can’t agree on a full resolution by then.

KEEPING SCORE: The S&P 500 index rose 0.1% as of 10 a.m. Eastern time. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 12 points, or less than 0.1%, to 28,107. The Nasdaq rose 0.3%. The Russell 2000 index of smaller company stocks rose 0.4%. European and Asian markets moved higher.

STALLED TRACTORS: Deere fell 3.6% after giving investors a weak profit forecast because farmers are spending less money on new equipment. The maker of tractors, backhoes and other agricultural machinery said the trade war and a difficult growing season has kept farmers cautious about making major investments.

EXTREME OVERSIGHT: Boeing fell 1.4% after federal safety regulators indicated that they will keep full control over approvals of each new 737 Max built. The Federal Aviation Administration’s decision affects more than 300 finished Max jets currently sitting in storage.