In closing trade the broad-based S&P 500 rose 3.76 (0.29 percent) to 1,281.06, while the tech-dominated Nasdaq Composite added 21.50 (0.81 percent) to 2,669.86.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average of 30 blue chips slipped again in late trade to end barely in the red, down 2.72 points (0.02 percent) at 12,415.70.

"Although the path higher has been choppy, financials have helped lead the broad market out of negative territory," said Briefing.com.

Bank of America shares jumped 8.6 percent, helped by speculation that government measures to help the housing market could benefit its dead-weight portfolio of bad mortgages.