(CNBC) — U.S. stocks rose on Monday as fears of an escalating conflict in Syria eased for the moment.
The Dow Jones industrial average gained 266 points, with Merck leading the 30-stock index higher. The S&P 500 climbed 1 percent, with utilities and telecommunications as the best-performing sectors. The Nasdaq composite advanced 0.8 percent.
Last week, the U.S. military conducted precision missile strikes against the Syrian government in response to a chemical attack carried out in the country. The attack was conducted in conjunction with France and the U.K.