US stocks closed high on Wednesday following the release of the Federal Reserve's policy minutes from its December meeting and a strong showing in auto sales.

    The S&P 500 index SPX, +0.57% closed up 12.92 points, or 0.6%, to 2,270.75. The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, +0.30% rose 60.40 points, or 0.3%, to close at 19,942.16, Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite Index COMP, +0.88% closed up 47.92 points, or 0.9%, at 5,477.00.