Stocks Ended Higher on Strong Bank Earnings

U.S. stocks ended moderately higher on Wednesday, as major banks posted strong quarterly earnings. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 141.57 points, or 0.59%, to 24,207.16. The S&P 500 advanced 5.80 points, or 0.22%, to 2,616.10. The Nasdaq Composite gained 10.86 points, or 0.15%, to 7,034.69.

Oil futures ended higher Wednesday, as a U.S. government report revealed a second straight weekly decline in U.S. crude supplies. West Texas Intermediate crude for February delivery rose 20 cents, or 0.4%, to settle at $52.31 a barrel. March Brent crude added 68 cents, or 1.1%, to $61.32 a barrel.