US stocks rose on Wednesday, extending a week-long rally, after a drop in crude oil prices and a report showing better-than-expected consumer sentiment set the stage for robust holiday spending.
Investors bought shares of major retailers like Federated Department Stores Inc, a day after the National Retail Federation released a higher forecast for this year's US holiday sales.
US crude oil for January delivery fell 13 cents to settle at $58.71 a barrel, following a weekly government report that US crude supplies increased in the latest week.
A University of Michigan report said its November gauge of consumer sentiment rose more than expected, as gasoline prices fell, increasing consumers' discretionary budgets.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 44.66 points, or 0.41 percent, to end at 10,916.09. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 4.38 points, or 0.35 percent, to 1,265.61. The technology-laced Nasdaq Composite Index added 6.42 points, or 0.28 percent, to 2,259.98.
"Just two or three weeks ago, it seemed like it was going to be a bad holiday season," said Eric Kuby, chief investment officer at Northstar Investment Management Co in Chicago.
Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq closed at fresh 4-1/2-year highs, while the Dow finished yet again at its highest level since March. The three major US stock indexes have finished higher each day since last Thursday.
The stock of Federated, owner of Macy's and Bloomingdale's, jumped 3.2 percent, or $2.14, to $68.11 on the New York Stock Exchange. Electronics retailer Best Buy Co Inc gained 1.7 percent, or 84 cents, to $49 on the NYSE.
Financial services stocks were among the best performers in the Dow and the Standard & Poor's 500. The Philadelphia KBW index of bank stocks hit a lifetime high a day after minutes of the Federal Reserve's November 1 meeting signalled it may be nearing the end of its rate-hike cycle.
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co shares advanced 1.5 percent, or 58 cents, to $38.78 on the NYSE. Bank of America Corp shares gained 1.3 percent, or 61 cents, to $46.71. Citigroup Inc shares rose almost 1 percent, or 42 cents, to $49.34.
"Ever since the Fed minutes came in, the financials have been particularly strong," Kuby said. "People feel there's reason to believe rate hikes may be coming to an end."
The biggest positive push on the Dow was International Business Machines Corp, up nearly 1 percent, or 81 cents, at $88.80 after research firm IDC said the market for server computers used by businesses grew 8.1 percent in the third quarter.
Intel Corp gave the Nasdaq its biggest boost. Shares of the world's dominant chipmaker rose 1.8 percent, or 48 cents, to $26.64.
The Philadelphia Stock Exchange semiconductor index hit a fresh 52-week high at 486.64, although it ended lower. For the day, the semiconductor index fell 0.5 percent to 480.48.
In NYSE trading, shares of Eastman Kodak Co jumped 8.4 percent, or $1.87, to $24.02. Kodak was among the Big Board's biggest percentage gainers, a day after the world's top maker of photographic film said it reached a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service that will boost fourth-quarter earnings. The US stock market will be closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving Day holiday and will shut early at 1 pm (1800 GMT) on Friday.