Most sectors in the benchmark S&P 500 contributed to the gains and roughly 70% of companies within the index moved higher. Energy companies and banks were particularly strong and led the gains. Health care stocks and a mix of companies that rely on direct consumer spending fell.
The S&P 500 rose 0.1% as of 10:10 a.m. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 187 points, or 0.5%, to 34,794 and the Nasdaq fell 0.5%.
The price of U.S. crude oil rose 1.7% and crossed back above $70. It hasn’t closed above that level since early August. Natural gas prices jumped 5.1%. The solid gains helped lift energy stocks, including a 2.1% rise for Exxon Mobil and a 2.6% rise for Cabot Oil & Gas
