U.S. equities ended mostly higher even as progress on fiscal stimulus talks seem to have stalled. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blamed each other for the breakdown as significant differences still remain between the two sides. Earnings season continued on a strong note, and traders are looking ahead to big tech reporting next week. The virus continued to spread across the Midwest with concerns emerging around its impact on voter turnout as the election looms. And New York virus hospitalizations hit the highest since June. Meanwhile, oil fell on more supply from Libya expected to enter the market in four weeks.