Stocks Ended Higher, Nasdaq Hit a New High

U.S. stocks ended higher on Monday, with the Nasdaq outperforming, as big tech stocks extended last week’s gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 236.08 points, or 0.89%, to 26,664.40. The S&P 500 added 23.49 points, or 0.72%, to 3,294.61. The Nasdaq Composite gained 157.52 points, or 1.47%, to 10,902.80.

Oil futures ended solidly higher Monday following a round of upbeat readings on manufacturing activity. West Texas Intermediate crude for September delivery added 74 cents, or 1.8%, to settle at $41.01 a barrel, while October Brent crude rose 63 cents, or 1.5%, to finish at $44.15 a barrel.

American manufacturers expanded in July for the third month in a row. The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index rose to 54.2% from 52.6% in June, marking the highest level in 15 months.