Stocks Ended Slightly Higher, GE Weighed on Dow

U.S. stocks ticked up on Monday as a sharp drop in General Electric shares was offset by gains in high dividend-paying sectors including consumer staples and utilities. At close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 17.49 points, or 0.07%, to 23,439.70. The S&P 500 gained 2.54 points, or 0.10%, to 2,584.84. The Nasdaq Composite added 6.66 points, or 0.10%, to 6,757.60.

Crude oil prices settled higher on Monday, as investors weighed the prospect of supply disruptions amid rising Middle East tensions while growing expectations of a ramp up in U.S. crude output capped upside momentum. U.S Crude futures for December delivery rose 2 cents to settle at $56.76 a barrel, while Brent lost 32 cents to trade at $63.20 a barrel.

Shares of General Electric Co. plunged toward their worst session in 8 1/2 years. The industrial conglomerate cut its dividend, as expected, but also provided a downbeat profit outlook for next year.