Stocks Ended Higher on Stimulus Hopes

U.S. stocks ended higher on Thursday, as investors weigh stimulus hopes against worse-than-expected jobless claims. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 122.05 points, or 0.43%, to 28,425.51. The S&P 500 advanced 27.38 points, or 0.80%, to 3,446.83. The Nasdaq Composite gained 56.38 points, or 0.5%, to 11,420.98.

Oil prices ended higher Thursday as Hurricane Delta forced the shut-in of more than 90% of the Gulf of Mexico’s crude output and the Saudis reportedly consider postponing OPEC plans to raise output. West Texas Intermediate crude for November delivery rose $1.24, or 3.1%, to settle at $41.19 a barrel. December Brent crude added $1.35, or 3.2%, at $43.34 a barrel.