Today's Markets

New evidence that the sagging U.S. economy is becoming less energy-hungry sent crude-oil prices plunging, a development that buoyed the stock market as a financial sector rally fizzled on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 29.88 points, or 0.3%, to end trade at 11632.38. The Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 1% to 2325.88. The S&P 500 crept up 0.4% to 1282.19, aided by gains in industrial and consumer shares. But energy stocks took a hit from the decline in oil. The S&P's energy category fell 3.6%. Exxon Mobil, a Dow component, declined 2.3%.

Oil prices have plunged dramatically over the ...