Stocks rose in a volatile session on Wednesday, with the Nasdaq gaining 1 percent.

Equities had earlier struggled for direction but mostly rose as European finance ministers appeared ready to prop up struggling banks. U.S. data on the labor market and services sector came in stronger than expected.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 59.15 points, or 0.55 percent, at 10,867.86. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 7.19 points, or 0.64 percent, at 1,131.14. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 25.72 points, or 1.07 percent, at 2,430.54.

U.S.-listed shares of Research in Motion were the Nasdaq 100's <.NDX> top gainer, climbing 13 percent to $23.68.

(Reporting by Ryan Vlastelica; Editing by Kenneth Barry)