Stocks Ended Slightly Higher amid Earnings

U.S. stocks ended slightly higher on Thursday, boosted after a round of generally upbeat corporate earnings. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 23.90 points, or 0.09%, to 27,025.88. The S&P 500 gained 8.26 points, or 0.28%, to 2,997.95. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 32.67 points, or 0.40%, to 8,156.85.

Oil futures finished higher Thursday, as the U.S. and Turkey reached a cease-fire pact in Syria, temporarily easing Middle East tensions, and a tentative Brexit deal fueled appetite for assets perceived as risky. West Texas Intermediate crude for November delivery tacked on 57 cents, or 1.1%, to settle at $53.93 a barrel. December Brent added 49 cents, or 0.8%, at $59.91 a barrel.