The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced by 224.35 points, closing at 46,565.86, a gain of 0.48 percent. The Standard and Poor's 500 added 46.84 points, or 0.72 percent, to finish at 6,575.36. The Nasdaq Composite also surged by 250.32 points, finishing at 21,840.95. The U.S. dollar weakened against major currencies, losing ground against the euro and the British pound, while gaining modestly against the Japanese yen and the Canadian dollar. The European and Asian markets also closed higher, with major indices across Europe, the UK, Europe and Asia-Pacific posting significant gains.