Wall Street stocks were in rally mode on Friday following strong US jobs data and after the Federal Reserve head acknowledged rising investor angst over global growth.
Near 1615 GMT, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 2.6 per cent at 23,284.66, around 600 points, after earlier a touching a 3.0 per cent gain.
After its worst showing for any December since 1931, the broad-based S&P 500 climbed 2.7 per cent to 2,515.01, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 3.5 per cent to 6,688.89.
US stocks opened the session higher following the December jobs report and added to gains after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the US central bank had no "pre-set" plan for interest rates and was carefully monitoring economic conditions.
"Markets are expressing concerns about global growth in particular and trade negotiations," Powell said at an event in Atlanta.
"We're listening with -- sensitively to the message that markets are sending and we'll be taking those downside risks into account as we make policy going forward."
Powell "said exactly what the markets wanted to hear," said Gregori Volokhine of Meeschaert Financial Services. "He will adapt to economic conditions and could provide support if it's needed."
"Looking through the rear-view mirror at the published economic data suggests that recent market moves are an over-reaction to recent events."
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