U.S. Stocks Gain Modestly After Bernanke Comments

U.S. stocks posted small gains Wednesday, with the S&P 500 rising for a ninth session in ten after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank’s bond purchases are not on a preset course and depend on economic and financial developments.

His comments eased worries that the Fed may be in a rush to scale back bond buying, which has been credited with boosting the economy and equity markets. The S&P 500 index gained 4.65 points, or 0.3%, to 1,680.91 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 18.67 points, or 0.1%, to 15,470.52. The Nasdaq Composite climbed 11.50 points, or 0.3%, to 3,610.

Source : Marketwatch