U.S. stocks ended solidly higher on Wednesday, driven by gains in banks and commodity-related shares.

Worries about European debt eased, while investors saw further flows into equities on speculation the economy will strengthen.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 83.56 points, or 0.72 percent, at 11,755.44. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 11.43 points, or 0.90 percent, at 1,285.91. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 20.50 points, or 0.75 percent, at 2,737.33.

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Kenneth Barry)