U.S. Stocks Rise as Investors Position for Quarter End

NEW YORK, Mar. 31-- U.S. stocks rose for a second consecutive session on Wednesday as investors re-allocate positions for the end of the quarter and reports showed U.S. job markets continued recovering.

As the geopolitical fears were fading in the markets, investors started to re-allocate their investment for the end of the first quarter. The CBOE Volatility Index, which is considered the best gauge of fear in the market, fell below 18 on Wednesday.

Investors' adjustment activities boosted the equity market. S& P 500 index broke through key level of 1,330, which was regarded as a resistance level for stocks, in mid-day trading session.

Meanwhile, positive job data also stimulated investors' optimism. According to the ADP Employer Services report, U.S. private employers added 201,000 jobs in March, which was in line with previous estimates of 203,000 increase.

A separate report on Wednesday showed that employers announced 41,528 planned job cuts this month, down 18 percent from the 50, 702 cuts announced in February.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 71.60 points, or 0.58 percent, to 12,350.61. The Standard & Poor's advanced 8.82 points, or 0.67 percent, to 1,328.26. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 19. 90 points, or 0.72 percent, to 2,776.79.