Stocks Ended with Solid Gains

U.S. stocks ended with solid gains on Tuesday in the first session of the new year as investors were optimistic that 2018 will bring more gains for the market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 104.79 points, or 0.42%, to 24,824.01. The S&P 500 gained 22.18 points, or 0.83%, to 2,695.79. The Nasdaq Composite added 103.51 points, or 1.50%, to 7,006.90.

Oil slipped Tuesday as concerns over supply disruptions in the North Sea and Libya eased, but prices stuck close to the more than two-year high. February WTI crude fell by a nickel Tuesday to settle at $60.37 a barrel. March Brent lost 30 cents, or 0.5%, to $66.57 a barrel.