The major US stock indices are running at their highest levels of 2009 after reaching 12-year-lows in early March. The Dow closed at its highest level since early November.

The gains come ahead of the government's first estimate of second-quarter US gross domestic product, which will be released Friday morning. Economists expect a contraction of between 0.7 percent and 1.5 percent, compared to a 5.5-percent drop in the first quarter.

The US currency fell against the euro to 70.09 euro cents from 71.18 euro cents on Wednesday. The dollar climbed against the Japanese currency to 95.48 yen from 95.06 yen.