Stocks Ended Mixed ahead of U.S-China Trade Talks

U.S. stocks ended mixed on Thursday, amid expectations for the trade talks between the U.S. and China. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 166.50 points, or 0.64%, to 26,384.63. The S&P 500 gained 5.99 points, or 0.21%, to 2,879.39. The Nasdaq Composite was down 3.77 points, or 0.05%, to 7,891.78.

Oil saw a mixed finish Thursday, with global benchmark Brent crude ending higher after briefly trading above the $70-a-barrel threshold for the first time since November, while the U.S. benchmark retreated for a second day. Brent crude for June delivery rose 9 cents, or 0.1%, to end at $69.40 a barrel. West Texas crude fell 36 cents, or 0.6%, to settle at $62.10 a barrel.

Expectations for Washington and Beijing to resolve their differences have been cited as a driver of stock-market gains since late last year. President Donald Trump may announce plans for a summit with China’s President Xi Jinping as early as Thursday when he meets the country’s vice premier, according to The Wall Street Journal.