Stocks Ended Slightly Higher as Trump-Xi Meeting Got Under Way

U.S. stocks ended slightly higher on Thursday as the meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping got under way. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 14.80 points, or 0.07%, to 20,662.95. The S&P 500 gained 4.54 points, or 0.19%, to 2,357.49. The Nasdaq Composite added 14.47 points, or 0.25 percent, to 5,878.95.

Oil futures shook off early weakness Thursday, powering to a third straight daily gain and ending at a nearly one-month high. Light, sweet crude futures for delivery in May rose 55 cents, or 1.1%, to $51.70 a barrel. June Brent crude rose 53 cents, or 1%, to finish at $54.82 a barrel.

Long-term U.S. mortgage rates fell this week for a third straight week, approaching their low points for the year. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday the rate on 30-year fixed-rate home loans declined to 4.10 percent from 4.14 percent last week.

Comcast Corp (CMCSA) on Thursday unveiled a wireless service with an unlimited data plan, making it the first major U.S. cable provider to enter the highly competitive wireless market.

Sunoco LP (SUN) said on Thursday it would sell 1,110 convenience stores to Japan’s Seven & i Holdings Co (3382.T) for $3.3 billion as the Texas-based company shifts its focus to its fuel supply business.