US stocks rebounded after two days of losses on Wednesday, aided by upbeat job market data and a slightly optimistic economic outlook from the Federal Reserve. The Fed left interest-rate policy on hold and offered a moderately brighter economic outlook but flagged risks to growth that appeared to leave open the door for further easing.
The Dow Jones industrial average gained 142.55 points, or 1.22 percent, to 11,800.51. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index rose 14.40 points, or 1.18 percent, to 1,232.68. The Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 20.53 points, or 0.79 percent, to 2,627.49. Citigroup Inc gained 3.2 percent to $29.79 and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co added 1.6 percent to $33.23. The KBW Bank index climbed 2.2 percent. MasterCard Inc shares jumped 7.1 percent to $358.11 after the credit card processor reported its quarterly profit.