Stocks Ended Solidly Higher on Trade Optimism

U.S. stocks closed solidly higher on Thursday after positive U.S.-China trade developments pumped optimism back into the markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 372.68 points, or 1.41%, to 26,728.15. The S&P 500 advanced 38.22 points, or 1.30%, to 2,976.00. The Nasdaq Composite gained 139.95 points, or 1.75%, to 8,116.83.

A rally in oil futures faded by the end of Thursday’s trading session. West Texas Intermediate crude for October delivery edged up by 4 cents, or 0.07%, to settle at $56.30 a barrel. November Brent crude climbed by 25 cents, or 0.4%, to $60.95 a barrel.