U.S. stocks remained higher in Wednesday's final hour of trading as investors looked past weaker-than-expected data from the Institute for Supply Management and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's remarks about taking a more cautious approach to lowering rates.

U.S. equity futures moved higher again Wednesday as markets regained their end-of-year optimism while eyeing another round of labor market data and key public remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell later in the session.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished the day down 0.2% at 44,075. However, the S&P 500 (+0.05% at 6,049.88) and the Nasdaq Composite (0.4% at 19,480) held on for a win, with both notching new record closing highs.

Stocks hit all-time highs as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the economy is in remarkably good shape. The euro pared gains as the French government fell after a no-confidence vote in Parliament.