Around the World's Markets: New York

US STOCKS rose on Wednesday, with strength in oil and bank shares pulling the Dow Jones index to its fourth record high close of the year.

The Dow ended up 79.08 points, or 0.82 per cent, at 9,772.84, pushing past its record high close of 9,736 set on Friday. The Dow's previous two record high closes were set in early January. The S&P 500 index also closed at a new record, gaining 7 points, or 0.55 per cent, to 1,286.84.