Nasdaq closes at fresh 9-month high as debt-ceiling optimism builds

U.S. stocks finished higher on Thursday, with the Nasdaq Composite closing at its highest level since Aug. 25, according to FactSet as optimism over a potential debt-ceiling deal persisted. The S&P 500
SPX,
+0.94%
gained 39.28 points, or 0.9%, to 4,198.05, according to preliminary closing numbers from FactSet. The Dow Jones Industrial Average
DJIA,
+0.34%
rose by 115.14 points, or 0.3%, to 33,535.91. The Nasdaq Composite
COMP,
+1.51%
advanced 188.27 points, or 1.5%, to close at 12,688.84. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said he’s optimistic about talks on a deal to raise the debt ceiling, according to media reports.