Stocks Eke Out Gain Amid Doubt on Stimulus Timing: Markets Wrap

U.S. stocks eked out a third straight gain, though finished well off session highs after Senator Mitch McConnell cast doubt on reaching a fresh rescue bill before some current benefits expire.

The S&P 500 rode a rally in energy and financial stocks to a fresh four-month high. Its advance was checked when the Senate majority leader told Politico he doesn’t expect a bill to pass within two weeks. Stocks were higher for most of the session after European Union leaders clinched a rescue package. That also sent the euro to...