Stocks ended up slightly on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 closing at its highest level since September 2008, as gains in financial and technology stocks offset declines caused by a recent surge in bond yields.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 13.32 points, or 0.12 percent, to end at 11,372.48. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 4.51 points, or 0.37 percent, to 1,228.26. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> advanced 10.67 points, or 0.41 percent, to 2,609.16.

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Kenneth Barry)