Stocks Ended Higher, Dow Logged over 200-Point Gain

U.S stocks ended higher on Monday, as the stronger-than-expected retail sales figures for January helped buoy confidence among market participants. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 200.64 points, or 0.79%, to 25,650.88.The S&P 500 rose 40.23 points, or 1.47%, to 2,783. The Nasdaq Composite climbed 149.92 points, or 2%, to 7,558.06.

Oil futures on Monday marked their highest settlement so far in March, finding support from reports that Saudi Arabia planned to extend efforts to reduce crude exports. April West Texas Intermediate crude rose 72 cents, or 1.3%, to settle at $56.79 a barrel. May Brent crude gained 84 cents, or 1.3%, to $66.58 a barrel.

Sales at U.S. retailers rebounded slightly in January. Retail sales rose 0.2% in January, led by home centers and Internet stores, according to a government report delayed by the partial federal shutdown earlier this year.