U.S. stocks close higher

NEW YORK, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended higher on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 129.47 points, or 0.26 percent, to 49,662.66. The S&P 500 added 38.09 points, or 0.56 percent, to 6,881.31. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 175.25 points, or 0.78 percent, to 22,753.63.