U.S. stocks close higher

NEW YORK, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended higher on Monday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 61.29 points, or 0.15 percent, to 42,124.65. The S&P 500 added 16.02 points, or 0.28 percent, to 5,718.57. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased 25.95 points, or 0.14 percent, to 17,974.27.

Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in green, with energy and consumer discretionary leading the gainers by going up 1.31 percent and 1.30 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, health and communication services led the laggards by dropping 0.25 percent and 0.15 percent, respectively.