U.S. Stocks End Higher After ISM Services Report

U.S. stocks finished higher on Tuesday, with the Nasdaq Composite recording its highest-ever close, after a discouraging report on U.S. service-sector activity was seen as possibly delaying a planned interest-rate hike by the Federal Reserve. The S&P 500 advanced 6.5 points, or 0.3%, to 2,186.48. Energy shares were the best performers, lifted by rising oil prices. The Dow industrials gained 46.37 points, or 0.3%, to 18,538.33, led by Intel Corp. and Chevron Corp. . The Nasdaq Composite climbed 26.01 points, or 0.5%, to 5,275.91. Market strategists say low interest rates push yield-hungry investors into riskier assets like stocks.