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Markets snapshot: Investors shake off the worries

Stocks overcame an early stumble Tuesday and finished modestly higher as investors shook off concerns about heightened tensions in the Middle East and a drop in consumer confidence. The price of oil spiked after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter plane that allegedly violated Turkey’s airspace. Energy stocks including Exxon Mobil and Chevron moved higher along with the price of oil. Crude rose 2.7 percent to $42.87 a barrel in New York. Energy stocks rose 2.1 percent, the largest gain in the S&P 500. Travel-related stocks slumped, including airlines, cruise operators, and booking sites like Expedia. The Conference Board said US consumer confidence sank this month to its lowest level in a year as Americans worried about jobs — a surprise after strong job gains in October. Consumer stocks including Netflix and Amazon slipped following the report. But Jeremy Zirin, at UBS Wealth Management Research, said there are reasons for consumers to feel good. Employers are hiring and Americans have more money because inflation and gas prices are low. There’s also evidence wages are increasing. ‘‘It’s hard to explain,’’ he said of the decline.