US stocks close higher for second straight day with stimulus package in focus

Most of the US stock indices rose on Wednesday, amid optimism over the US Congress' vote on the huge stimulus aid package to ease the coronavirus economic impact.

The US President Donald Trump has said that he hopes that things will return to normal before Easter in mid-April.

The White House confirmed that an agreement has been reached with the US Congress on the $2 trillion stimulus package, but the vote will be later this week.

Data showed today that the US durable goods orders rose 1.2% during February.

To the oil market, WTI crude rose by 2% to close at $24.49 a barrel, with a day high of $25.2 and a low of $22.9.

Brent rose 0.9% to $27.39 a barrel, after it hit a high of $28.2 and a low of $25.6.

As for stocks, Dow Jones rose 2.4% or 495 points to close at 21,200, and hit an intraday high 22,019 and a low 20,538.

S&P 500 rose by 1.1% or 28 points to close at 2,475 with a high of 2,571 and a low of 2,407.

While Nasdaq fell by 0.4% or 33 points to 7,384 points, with a high of 7,671 and a low of 7,276 points.