U.S. stocks extended gains on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve said the economy was leveling out.

Technology shares rose after an upbeat report from chipmaker Applied Materials and financial shares bounced back from a recent decline.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 171.70 points, or 1.86 percent, to 9,413.15. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 18.05 points, or 1.82 percent, to 1,012.40. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> climbed 44.46 points, or 2.26 percent, to 2,014.19.

(Reporting by Leah Schnurr; Editing by Leslie Adler)