U.S. stocks ended higher Wednesday after reversing earlier losses, supported by stabilizing oil prices and comments from New York Federal Reserve President John Williams that offered some reassurance over the need for a September interest-rate increase. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose about 0.4%, or roughly 236 points, while the S&P 500 gained 0.49% and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.45%. Williams said there were no clear signs justifying a rate increase at the September policy meeting to combat inflation, while suggesting that higher bond yields could reflect economic strength rather than worsening inflation concerns. The 10-year Treasury yield held at 4.79%, its highest level since 2023, and the 30-year yield was 5.26%. Brent crude traded around $95 a barrel and WTI crude near $90 as tensions involving Iran continued to shape market sentiment. ADP reported that private-sector employers added 38,000 jobs in August, below the 47,000 consensus forecast and potentially pointing to weaker official employment data due Friday. Snowflake was scheduled to report quarterly results after the close. Nomura Asset Management International chief investment strategist Andy Goldberg said the advance reflected a lack of negative headlines more than a major positive catalyst, while noting that elevated yields have constrained equity valuations after a strong earnings period and created opportunities in some stocks during pullbacks.