Trader Gregory Rowe, left, and specialist Charles Boeddinghaus work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. U.S. stocks rose in early trading on Thursday, boosted by a combination of positive economic news from the U.S. and expectations of stimulus from Europe's central bank. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - The stock market is bouncing back from a tough start to the year.
Investors sent shares sharply higher for a second straight day Thursday, erasing losses from the first few days of 2015.
The gains were driven by a combination of positive economic news from the U.S. and hopes for economic stimulus in Europe. The price of oil has also been stabilizing after six months of heavy losses.
The Dow Jones industrial average jumped 323 points, or 1.8 percent, to 17,907.
The Standard & Poor's 500 increased 36 points, also 1.8 percent, to 2,062. The Nasdaq rose 85 points, or 1.8 percent, to 4,736.
Beverage maker Constellation Brands climbed 5 percent after raising its profit outlook.
Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.01 percent.
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. U.S. stocks rose in early trading on Thursday, boosted by a combination of positive economic news from the U.S. and expectations of stimulus from Europe's central bank. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press
Specialist Thomas McArdle, center, works with traders at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. U.S. stocks rose in early trading on Thursday, boosted by a combination of positive economic news from the U.S. and expectations of stimulus from Europe's central bank. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press
Philip Carone, right, works with fellow traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. U.S. stocks rose in early trading on Thursday, boosted by a combination of positive economic news from the U.S. and expectations of stimulus from Europe's central bank. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press