Stocks rise slightly as the S&P 500 hovers near a record; European stocks close mostly higher amid recovery hopes, inflation fears 
Stocks rose slightly on Wednesday with the S&P 500 hovering near an all-time high. 
The benchmark gained 0.14% to 4,208.12 on Wednesday, sitting about 0.7% from its record hit in May. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 25 points to close at 34,600.38. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 0.14% to 13,756.33. 
Energy stocks again outperformed the broader market on Wednesday as crude prices continued their recent rebound. 
AMC shares, popular among retail investors and often subject to trading mania, soared 95% and was briefly halted for volatility. The meme stock was up 22% on Tuesday after raising $230.5 million through a stock sale. 
Zoom Video shares fell about 0.2% despite the company reporting blowout earnings on Tuesday. Sales grew 191% in the first quarter. 
Stock markets in Europe closed mostly higher on Wednesday as investors weighed up optimism over the region’s economic recovery and fears over rising inflation. 

The pan-European Stoxx 600 ended the session up almost 0.3%, with autos shares rising 1.3% to lead gains as most sectors and major bourses closed in positive territory. 
German pharmaceutical company MorphoSys plunged more than 12.9% after announcing the acquisition of U.S. cancer specialist Constellation Pharmaceuticals for $1.7 billion. 
Source: CNBC