U.S. Stocks Close Higher Amid Sector Gains, Moderna Leads Charge

U.S. stocks closed higher on Wednesday as gains in certain sectors led shares upward.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.22%, while the S&P 500 index and NASDAQ Composite also gained, at 0.22% and 0.16%, respectively.

MERCK & COMPANY INC (MRK) saw its share price jump 12.62% or $17.06 to reach a new all-time high of $152.23, followed closely by SALESFORCE INC (CRM), which rose 5.07% or $9.95 to close at $206.09.

On the other hand, CATERPILLAR INC (CAT) declined 2.94% or $24.72 to settle at $816.15, while MORGAN STANLEY GROUP INC (MS) dropped 1.81% or $18.82 to close at $1,021.65.

Moderna Inc (MRNA) stood out as the top performer on both the NASDAQ and S&P 500 indices, rising by 177.87% to reach a three-year high of $174.95.