Stocks extended broad gains on Wednesday, with the Nasdaq Composite <.IXIC> up 3 percent led by gains in large-cap technology companies.

The market was higher on an increase in U.S. manufacturing activity and new signs of growth in China and Australia boosted investor confidence on the state of the global economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 247.18 points, or 2.47 percent, to 10,261.90. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> added 29.33 points, or 2.80 percent, to 1,078.66. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> rose 62.74 points, or 2.97 percent, to 2,176.77.

(Editing by Kenneth Barry)

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