Stocks edge higher as tech companies, banks make solid gains

By DAMIAN J. TROISE
AP Business Writer

Stocks edged higher in midday trading on Wall Street Monday as technology companies and banks made solid gains. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.5%. The Nasdaq also rose 0.5%. The price of benchmark U.S. crude oil was up 2.2% to just over $81 a barrel. Investors are looking ahead to the beginning of company earnings reports this week. JPMorgan Chase delivers its results on Wednesday and Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citigroup will report on Thursday. The Labor Department will release inflation measures on Wednesday and Thursday. Bond trading was closed for the Columbus Day holiday.