US stocks close higher amid trade optimism, data
Xinhua
1573860927000

stocks.jpeg

(Photo: AP)

NEW YORK, Nov 15 (Xinhua) -- US stocks closed higher on Friday as investors were optimistic about the progress of U.S.-China trade talks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 222.93 points, or 0.80 percent, to 28,004.89. The S&P 500 rose 23.83 points, or 0.77 percent, to 3,120.46. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 61.81 points, or 0.73 percent, to 8,540.83.

Trade bellwether Caterpillar and Boeing all rose more than 1 percent at market close.

Most of the 30 blue-chip stocks in the Dow traded higher with shares of UnitedHealth Group and Johnson & Johnson up 5.30 percent and 3.04 percent, respectively, becoming the top two gainers.

Ten of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors traded higher with the health care sector up 2.21 percent, leading the gainers.

On the data front, the US Department of Commerce said on Friday retail sales increased 0.3 percent in October, reversing a 0.3-percent decline in September.