Stocks Ended Higher on Economic Health

U.S. stocks ended higher on Wednesday as investors grew optimistic about the health of the U.S. economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 54.45 points, or 0.20%, to 26,828.39, marking a fifth consecutive gain. The S&P 500 advanced 2.08 points, or 0.07%, to 2,925.51. The Nasdaq Composite climbed 25.54 points, or 0.32%, to 8,025.08.

Oil futures rallied on Wednesday as reported declines in Iranian exports due to pending U.S. oil sanctions and uncertainty surrounding the ability of other major oil producers to make up for the loss, lifted U.S. and global prices back to nearly four-year highs. November West Texas Intermediate crude added $1.18, or 1.6%, to settle at $76.41 a barrel. December Brent rose $1.49, or 1.8%, to $86.29 a barrel.