The latest on developments in financial markets (All times local):
4 p.m.

U.S. stock indexes are ending slightly higher in light trading as banks post more gains.

Northern Trust gained 1.7 percent Thursday. Bond yields rose, which helps banks because they can charge higher interest rates on loans.

Natural gas prices jumped 7 percent as temperatures dropped in the U.S.

Consumer-goods makers lagged the most. Oil prices closed higher.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 4 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,687.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 63 points, or 0.3 percent, to 24,837. The Nasdaq composite rose 10 points, or 0.2 percent, to 6,950.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.43 percent.

11:45 a.m.
U.S. stock indexes were up slightly in light trading as technology companies posted more gains.

Chipmaker Nvidia, one of the biggest winners on the market this year, rose another 1 percent in midday trading Thursday.

Financial stocks were also moving higher as bond yields rose. Northern Trust gained 1.2 percent.

Natural gas prices jumped 7 percent as temperatures dropped in the U.S.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 2 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,685.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 42 points, or 0.2 percent, to 24,815. The Nasdaq composite rose 8 points, or 0.1 percent, to 6,947.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.42 percent.

9:35 a.m.
Stocks are opening slightly higher on Wall Street as technology companies post more gains.

Chipmaker Micron Technology rose 1.2 percent in early trading Thursday.

Financial stocks were also doing well in the early going. Synchrony Financial was up 0.8 percent.

Natural gas prices rose 5 percent as temperatures dropped in the U.S.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 2 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,685.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 45 points, or 0.2 percent, to 24,819. The Nasdaq composite rose 11 points, or 0.2 percent, to 6,950.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.42 percent.