Stocks Closed Higher, Led by Health and Transportation

U.S. stocks finished a thinly-traded day with modest gains on Monday, led by gains in transportation and healthcare shares. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 39.81 points, or 0.23%, to 17,613.74, the S&P 500 gained 6.34 points, or 0.31%, to 2,038.26 and the Nasdaq Composite added 19.08 points, or 0.41%, to 4,651.62.

Juniper Networks (JNPR) on Monday named Rami Rahim chief executive officer, replacing Shaygan Kheradpir, who has resigned with immediate effect.

Vivint Solar Inc. (VSLR) reported a loss of 66 cents a share in the third quarter, excluding nonrecurring items, compared with a loss of 20 cents a year ago. Vivint Solar reported sales of $8.3 million, compared with sales of $2.3 million in the year-ago quarter.

Rackspace Hosting Inc. (RAX) late Monday reported its third-quarter net income rose to $25.7 million, or 18 cents a share, from $16.3 million, or 11 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue increased to $459.8 million from $388.6 million.