The Nasdaq Composite outperformed all other major indices, with the exception of biotech and chipmaker stocks, which were supported by weak retail sales and disappointing earnings. Meanwhile, overseas markets were buoyant on Wednesday, as Chinese retail purchases, European industrial production, and Japan's GDP contraction of 1.7% were reported. Furthermore, the Atlanta Federal Reserve announced that businesses expected inflation to increase to 2.0% from 1.9% in July.