U.S. stocks extend strong gains as Bernanke speaks
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks remained in rally mode Wednesday, with the S&P 500 index again nearing its all-time closing high, as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke began a news conference. The Fed chief's appearance follows the release of the central bank's monetary policy decision, which continued its current bond-buying purchases and record-low interest rates, as expected. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 85.98 points, or 0.6%, to 14,541.80, a level that has it above its all-time close, hit last week. The S&P 500 index added 11.55 points, or 0.8%, to 1,559.89, leaving it 5.26 points from its record close, hit in October 2007. The Nasdaq Composite climbed 26.34 points, or 0.8%, to 3,255.43.