Stocks Ended Sharply Lower, Oil Futures Climbed

U.S. stocks ended sharply lower on Wednesday, reversing earlier gains, as new virus restrictions overshadow upbeat vaccine data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 344.93 points, 1.16%, to 29,438.42. The S&P 500 fell 41.74 points, or 1.16%, to 3,567.79. The Nasdaq Composite was down 97.74 points, 0.82%, to 11,801.60.

Oil futures climbed on Wednesday to mark the highest settlement since early September after another positive step toward a COVID-19 vaccine. West Texas Intermediate crude for December delivery rose 39 cents, or 0.9%, to settle at $41.82 a barrel. January Brent crude added 59 cents, or nearly 1.4%, to $44.34 a barrel.