Stocks are closing with modest gains after a strong sales report from McDonald's offset concerns about the surprise resignation of Italy's prime minister.
Stocks are closing lower on Wall Street following indications that little progress is being made in Washington in talks over how to narrow the U.S. government's budget deficit.
U.S. stocks had their best day since the election. Market-watchers are citing optimism about a deal to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff of tax increases and government spending cuts.