Stocks Ended Higher, Oil Futures Rose

U.S. stocks ended higher on Wednesday as investors focused on signs of easing tensions in Hong Kong, new stimulus measures out of China and growing hopes that the U.K. could avoid a disorderly exit from the European Union. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 237.45 points, or 0.91%, to 26,355.47. The S&P 500 climbed 31.51 points, or 1.08%, to 2,937.78. The Nasdaq Composite gained 102.72 points, or 1.30%, to 7,976.88.

Oil futures rose by more than 4% on Wednesday, as investors focused on geopolitical optimism and forecasts for shrinking U.S. supplies ahead of closely-followed weekly inventory reports. West Texas Intermediate crude for October delivery gained $2.32, or 4.3%, to settle at $56.26 a barrel. November Brent crude rose $2.44, or 4.2%, to $60.70 a barrel.

MPs voted by a margin of 327 votes to 299 to back a bill that seeks to delay Brexit beyond October 31 unless a deal is approved by Parliament or Parliament agrees to a no-deal exit by October 19.

Slack (WORK) issued its first earnings report as a public company after the bell on Wednesday, beating on the top and bottom line. Revenue: $145 million versus $141.5 million (expected). Adjusted losses per share: $0.14 versus $0.19 (expected).