Stocks Ended Higher as Coronavirus Fears Receded

U.S. stocks ended sharply higher on Wednesday, as investors focused on optimism around the pathway forward for the economy from the COVID-19. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 779.71 points, or 3.44%, to 23,433.57. The S&P 500 gained 90.57 points, or 3.41%, to 2,749.98. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 203.64 points, or 2.58%, to 8,090.90.

Oil prices finished higher Wednesday, buoyed by a weekly decline in U.S. crude production, as investors grow hopeful that major oil producers will agree to output cuts this week. West Texas Intermediate crude for May delivery rose $1.46, or 6.2%, to settle at $25.09 a barrel.