The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 7.31, or 0.99 percent, to 743.38.
Advancing issues led decliners by more than 2 to 1 on the New York Stock Exchange. Consolidated volume amounted to 3.73 billion shares, down from 3.86 billion shares traded Wednesday.
Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.94 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.58 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 0.03 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.04 percent.
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