U.S. Stocks End With Biggest Weekly Gain Since October

The U.S. stock market ended a turbulent week with the biggest weekly gain since October. Stocks rose for three straight session in the wake of the Federal Reserve's reassurance that the rate increases would be slow and measured, while the central bank said it would be "patient" on the timing of the initial hike. Calmer currencies and commodities markets provided reasons to bid up prices, especially in the beaten-down energy and materials sectors. The S&P 500 closed 9.44 points, or 0.5%, higher at 2,070.67, only 5 points off its record closing level. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 26.65 points, or 0.2%, to 17,804.80. The Nasdaq Composite ended the day with a gain of 16.98 points, or 0.4%, at 4,765.38.