Tech and health care firms drive more gains for US stocks
A broad rally drove U.S. stocks solidly higher Thursday for the second day in a row, extending the market's gains for the week.
Technology companies, which have led the market this year, contributed the most to the rally. Health care stocks and banks also accounted for a big slice of the market's gains as investors sized up the latest company earnings and economic news. Crude oil prices rebounded after an early slide.
The S&P 500 index rose 25.28 points, or 0.9 percent, to 2,723.07. The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 196.99 points, or 0.8 percent, to 24,739.53. The gain turned the Dow back to positive for the year.
The Nasdaq added 65.07 points, or 0.9 percent, to 7,404.97.
Smaller-company stocks continued to post solid gains.