16 points, or 1.3 percent, to close at 9,361.61. The broader Standard and Poor's 500 jumped 11.46 points, or 1.15 percent, to 1,005.81. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index rose 28.99 points, or 1.47 percent, to 1,998.72.

The rally came after major stock indices posted some of their worst losses in a month on Tuesday, led by a dip in financial firms.

On currency markets, the dollar dropped against the euro, closing at 70.48 euro cents from 70.66 euro cents on Tuesday. The dollar inched higher against the Japanese currency to 96 yen from 95.95 yen.