S&P 500 staves off September woes | Energy stocks pop | Mortgage demand jumps

U.S. stocks close higher Wednesday, staving off September woes.

VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE WED, SEP 15, 2021 EVENING BRIEF AS OF WED, SEP 15, 2021 • 04:45 ET DJIA 34814.39 +0.68% +236.82 S&P 500 4480.70 +0.85% +37.65 NASDAQ 15161.53 +0.82% +123.77   Most Active DOW NAME LAST CHG %CHG AAPL 149.03 +0.91 +0.61% CSCO 57.56 -0.31 -0.54% MSFT 304.82 +5.03 +1.68% S&P 500 NAME LAST CHG %CHG AAPL 149.03 +0.91 +0.61% F 13.22 +0.36 +2.80% BAC 40.14 +0.30 +0.75% NASDAQ NAME LAST CHG %CHG AAPL 149.03 +0.91 +0.61% AMD 105.60 -0.13 -0.12% CSCO 57.56 -0.31 -0.54%   EDITOR'S NOTE U.S. stocks closed higher Wednesday, staving off September woes.   A strong economic reading released before the bell appeared to boost market sentiment. The New York Fed's Empire Index, a measure of manufacturing in the region, came in much higher than expected at 34.3 for September. The consensus estimate was 18, according to FactSet.   Stocks linked to the economic recovery trended higher following the report. Energy stocks led gains in the S&P 500 as oil prices rose. Industrial names like Caterpillar and Boeing climbed.   "On the back of this encouraging economic data, the S&P 500 is taking on a decidedly pro-cyclical tone," Goldman Sachs' Chris Hussey said in a note. Despite Wednesday's gains, the three major stock indexes are down for the month. The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since January.   Investors are awaiting new economic indicators set to be released Thursday: weekly jobless claims and retail sales. Hannah Miao | CNBC Associate Markets Reporter @HannahMiao_ TOP NEWS  Dow closes more than 200 points higher, S&P 500 rebounds to stave off September slide Top general Milley reassured China, others in secret calls as Trump pushed election lies, spokesman says FDA staff declines to take stance on Pfizer's Covid vaccine booster shots, citing lack of verified data Mortgage demand from homebuyers jumps to highest level since April, after new listings rise all summer The weak seasonal trading period that's got Cramer and other investors worried starts Friday Bridgewater's Ray Dalio says cash is still trash. Here's what he says to do with it SEC whistleblower payouts top $1 billion total as securities watchdog announces near-record award Mercer family played bigger role in 2020 election than thought, giving nearly $20 million to dark-money GOP fund Lawmakers demand answers from Zuckerberg after investigation finds Instagram is toxic for teen girls Here's how inflation is hitting the online prices of everything from apparel to furniture   TOP VIDEO A crypto tax loophole could be closing soon — Here's what to know   CNBC PRO JPMorgan says growth will re-accelerate, stop worrying and buy these recovery stocks   SPECIAL REPORTS House Democrats' capital gains tax proposal is better for the super rich than Biden plan Planning to quit your job? Do these 5 things first   Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2021 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS