(CNBC) U.S. stocks closed higher Thursday, with the Dow and S&P above key psychological levels, as investors digested the Fed's September meeting minutes.
"I think the combination of oil (gains) and the Fed minutes have lifted the indices here," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Rockwell Global Capital, noting the minutes diminished the likelihood of a rate hike this year.
The Dow closed about 140 points higher to close above 17,000 for the first time since Aug. 19. Earlier, the index gained more than 150 points to hold above 17,000 in intraday trade for the first time since Aug. 20. IBM and Nike contributed the most to gains and Apple was the greatest negative weight.
Advertisement - story continues below
