Stocks Hit Record Highs as Iran Fears Receded

U.S. stocks ended higher and hit record highs once again on Thursday as U.S.-Iran tensions saw some apparent easing. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 211.81 points, or 0.74%, to 28,956.90. The S&P 500 rose 21.65 points, or 0.67%, to 3,274.70. The Nasdaq Composite added 74.18 points, or 0.81%, to 9,203.43.

Oil futures end lower for a third session on Thursday, as traders digested data that revealed a big jump in crude stockpiles in the U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for February delivery fell by a nickel, or less than 0.1%, to settle at $59.56 a barrel. March Brent crude edged down by 7 cents, or 0.1%, to settle at $65.37 a barrel.