Markets End the Day Higher

Another solid increase in bank stocks pushed major market indexes higher on Wall Street, the AP reports. Banks, which had lagged the rest of the market heading into last week's presidential election, have been on a tear since then. Last week they had their biggest gain since 2009. Investors are hoping that higher interest rates, stronger economic growth and lighter regulation under President-elect Donald Trump will help banks make more money. PNC Financial Services rose 2.9% Thursday. Best Buy surged 14% after reporting greater sales of mobile phones and increased online sales. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 35 points, or 0.2%, to 18,903. The Standard & Poor's 500 index climbed 10 points, or 0.5%, to 2,187. The Nasdaq composite increased 39 points, or 0.7%, to 5,333. (More Dow Jones stories.)