Major U.S. stock indexes gained on Wednesday, boosted by financial shares amid encouraging economic data and by the energy sector as oil prices surged to June highs.
U.S. Treasury yields also rose after data showed U.S. services sector activity rebounded to an 11-month high in September, an encouraging sign for economic growth.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 112.58 points, or 0.62 percent, to 18,281.03. The S&P 500 gained 9.24 points, or 0.43 percent, to 2,159.73 and the Nasdaq Composite added 26.36 points, or 0.5 percent, to 5,316.02.
Asian shares firmed on Thursday, encouraged by stronger U.S. economic data and a rise in oil prices, while growing prospects of a U.S. rate hike hit gold and the boosted the dollar to one-month highs versus the yen.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS rose 0.2 percent while Japan's Nikkei .N225 gained 0.9 percent.
Reference: Reuters
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