Stocks Ended Higher on Trade Optimism

U.S. stocks ended higher on Wednesday on optimism over U.S.-China trade talks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 157.03 points, or 0.54%, to 24,527.27. The S&P 500 gained 14.29 points, or 0.54%, to 2,651.07. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 66.48 points, or 0.95%, to 7,098.31.

Oil prices gave up earlier gains Wednesday to finish a bit lower, after U.S. government data showed domestic crude supplies declined for a second week in a row, but by much less than the market expected. West Texas Intermediate crude for January delivery fell 50 cents, or 1%, to settle at $51.15 a barrel. February Brent crude shed 5 cents, or less than 0.1%, to $60.15 a barrel.