Stocks Ended Higher, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Posted Record Highs

U.S. stocks ended higher on Tuesday, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting another record highs, as investors weighed rising coronavirus cases in the U.S. against optimism over a stronger recovery in 2021. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 104.09 points, or 0.35%, to 30,173.88. The S&P 500 added 10.29 points, or 0.28%, to 3,702.25. The Nasdaq Composite gained 62.83 points, or 0.50%, to 12,582.77.

Oil futures settled on a mixed note Tuesday, with U.S. benchmark prices lower but global Brent prices up for the session, as traders weighed demand prospects on the back of the rise in COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and Europe against hope for a vaccine. West Texas Intermediate crude for January delivery fell by 16 cents, or nearly 0.4%, to settle at $45.60 a barrel. February Brent crude tacked on a nickel, or 0.1%, to end at $48.84 a barrel.