Stocks post biggest gain in a week led by energy and banks

The US stock market posted its biggest gain in more than a week, led by gains in energy companies and banks.

Investors were encouraged as the price of oil continued to recover Tuesday. Exxon Mobil rose 5% and Chevron rose 4%.

Bank stocks rose as traders anticipated that the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 156 points, or 0.9%, to 17,524.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index climbed 21 points, or 1.1%, to 2,043. The Nasdaq composite climbed 43 points, or 0.9%, to 4,995.

Natural gas prices continued to fall as investors anticipated more warm winter weather and less demand for heat.

US government bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.27%.