NEW YORK - US stocks ended higher on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 43.21 points, or 0.09 percent, to 46,441.1. The S&P 500 added 22.74 points, or 0.34 percent, to 6,711.2. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased 95.15 points, or 0.42 percent, to 22,755.16.

Seven of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in red, with materials and financials leading the laggards by dropping 1.17 percent and 0.92 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, health and utilities led the gainers by going up 3.01 percent and 0.92 percent, respectively.