Stocks Closed at Records amid Earnings Optimism

U.S. stocks closed at records on Tuesday, as expectations of another strong quarter of corporate earnings helped to support demand for equities. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 102.80 points, or 0.41%, to 25,385.80. The S&P 500 added 3.58 points, or 0.13%, to 2,751.29. The Nasdaq Composite gained 6.19 points, or 0.09%, to 7,163.58.

Oil rallied on Tuesday, extending gains into a second consecutive session as expectations for an eighth-straight weekly drop in U.S. crude inventories helped send prices to another finish at a three-year high. February West Texas Intermediate crude climbed $1.23, or 2%, to settle at $62.96 a barrel. March Brent rose $1.04, or 1.5%, to $68.82 a barrel.