How the Dow Jones industrial average and other major indexes did Thursday

U.S. financial markets closed sharply higher Thursday as investors welcomed encouraging news on corporate earnings and the job market.

The rally ended a two-day losing streak for the major market indexes. Oil prices ended slightly higher.

On Thursday:

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 225.48 points, or 1.3 percent, to 17,416.85.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index climbed 19.09 points, or 1 percent, to 2,021.25.

The Nasdaq composite gained 45.41 points, or 1 percent, to 4,683.41.

For the week:

The Dow is down 255.75 points, or 1.5 percent.

The S&P 500 index is down 30.57 points, or 1.5 percent.

The Nasdaq is down 74.47 points, or 1.6 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is down 406.22 points, or 2.3 percent.

The S&P 500 index is down 37.65 points, or 1.8 percent.

The Nasdaq is down 52.65 points, or 1.1 percent.