Early indications that shoppers will spend more this holiday season than last year lifted the markets to a higher close on a shortened trading day with the Dow rising 31 points to 23,557. Nasdaq gained 21 points to 6,889.

On the upside

Northern Trust increased its stake in GAIN Capital Holdings (NYSE: GCAP) in the second quarter.

Stitch Fix (Nasdaq: SFIX) acquired two properties and equipment from Mohnton Knitting Mills.

Bargain hunters lifted shares of PPDAI Group (NYSE: PPDF).

On the downside

An RYB Education (NYSE: RYB) preschool location in Beijing is being investigated for possible child abuse.

Shares of Qudian (NYSE: QD) extended its losses.

Iconix Brand Group (Nasdaq: ICON) stock continued to drop.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 3 to 2 on the NYSE and by more than 4 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 rose 5 points to 2,602. Bitcoin soared $128 to $8,250.