REUTERS: U.S. stocks ended higher on Thursday as comments by U.S. President Donald Trump fueled hopes of fresh fiscal support, while data underscored the view that the labor market recovery was struggling to gain momentum.
The S&P 500 energy index led sector percentage gains, rising 3.8per cent on the day, following a jump in oil prices. The Russell 2000 small-cap index was up 1.1per centThe Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 122.05 points, or 0.43per cent, to 28,425.51, the S&P 500 gained 27.38 points, or 0.80per cent, to 3,446.83 and the Nasdaq Composite added 56.38 points, or 0.5per cent, to 11,420.98.
Biden appeared to lead Trump among likely voters in Florida and the two were locked in a tight race in Arizona, according to Reuters/Ipsos opinion polls released on Wednesday. Eaton Vance Corp shares surged 48.1per cent after Morgan Stanley agreed to buy the asset manager for about US$7 billion in a cash-and-stock deal.