Stocks Ended with Solid Gains

U.S. stocks ended Thursday’s session with solid broad-based gains as crude oil reversed earlier losses and returned the energy sector to positive territory. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 225.48 points, or 1.31%, to 17,416.85. The S&P 500 was up 19.09 points, or 0.95%, to 2,021.25. The Nasdaq Composite gained 45.41 points, or 0.98%, to 4,683.41.

Amazon.com Inc. reported profit for the holiday quarter that topped analysts’ estimates. The online retailer on Thursday posted a fourth-quarter profit of $214 million, or 45 cents a share.

Google Inc’s revenue grew 15 percent in the fourth quarter, falling short of Wall Street’s target on declining online ad prices and unfavorable foreign exchange rates. Consolidated revenue in the three months ended Dec. 31 totaled $18.10 billion, compared to
$15.71 billion (10.44 billion pounds) in the year-ago period.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc will cut $15 billion of investment over the next three years as the crash in oil prices saw fourth-quarter profit miss forecasts. Profit excluding one-time items and inventory changes was $3.3 billion in the quarter, up from $2.9 billion a year earlier, Shell said today.