Stocks Edge Higher as Treasury Move Eases Bond Pressure

U.S. stocks rose Wednesday after the Treasury Department announced a move that could ease pressure coming from the bond market, while strong spring profit reports from Estee Lauder, Target and other companies also supported Wall Street.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.2% for its first gain in four days after setting an all-time high last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 119 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite ticked 0.2% higher.

Wednesday's closes: - S&P 500: up 16.22 points, or 0.2%, to 7,707.98 - Dow Jones Industrial Average: up 119.65 points, or 0.2%, to 53,463.05 - Nasdaq composite: up 41.38 points, or 0.2%, to 26,331.09 - Russell 2000: up 15.05 points, or 0.5%, to 3,032.94

For the week: - S&P 500: down 77.78 points, or 1% - Dow: down 269.36 points, or 0.5% - Nasdaq: down 398.07 points, or 1.5% - Russell 2000: down 35.47 points, or 1.2%

For the year: - S&P 500: up 862.48 points, or 12.6% - Dow: up 5,399.76 points, or 11.2% - Nasdaq: up 3,089.10 points, or 13.3% - Russell 2000: up 551.03 points, or 22.2%