Stocks Ended Slightly Higher after Comey Testimony

U.S. stocks closed slightly higher on Thursday, with the Nasdaq finished at a record, following former Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey’s testimony in front of senators. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 8.84 points, or 0.04%, to 21,182.53. The S&P 500 was up 0.65 point, or 0.03%, to 2,433.79. The Nasdaq Composite gained 24.38 points, or 0.39%, to 6,321.76.

Oil prices ended with a minor loss Thursday, holding ground at their lowest level in a month, as a weekly decline in U.S. crude production helped to temper pressure from a surprise weekly rise in U.S. supplies. July West Texas Intermediate crude fell 8 cents, or 0.2%, to settle at $45.64 a barrel. August Brent crude lost 20 cents, or 0.4%, to $47.86 a barrel.

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said on Thursday that interest rates could be cut further if economic conditions worsen, appearing to contradict the bank’s official stance outlined earlier in the day.

About 2,100 jobs are on the chopping block as Verizon prepares to combine Yahoo and AOL for a digital advertising offensive. Yahoo’s shareholders on Thursday approved the $4.5 billion sale of its key businesses to Verizon. The deal is expected to close by Tuesday.