S&P 500, Dow Gain Amid Inflation Concerns, Debt Ceiling Debate

S&P 500, Dow Gain Amid Inflation Concerns, Debt Ceiling Debate
A Wall Street sign outside the New York Stock Exchange in New York on Oct. 28, 2013. Carlo Allegri/Reuters
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NEW YORK—Wall Street ended firmer on Wednesday in a partial rebound from the previous day’s broad sell-off, with remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and the ongoing debt ceiling debate keeping a lid on gains.

The S&P 500 index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced, but the Nasdaq Composite closed lower as Treasury yields halted their ascent. Defensive sectors took the lead as investors sought stability in the volatile market.