Stocks rebound as Brexit anxiety lifts

U.S. stock indexes mounted a broad comeback Tuesday as investors set aside their anxiety over Britain’s vote to leave the European Union and snapped up shares following a two-day rout.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 269.48 points, or 1.6 percent, to 17,409.72. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 35.55 points, or 1.8 percent, to 2,036.09. The Nasdaq composite added 97.42 points, or 2.1 percent, to 4,691.87.

European benchmarks had an even better day than U.S. indexes. Britain’s FTSE 100 and France’s CAC 40 each gained 2.6 percent. Germany’s DAX added 1.9 percent.

In the U.S., investors got a batch of encouraging economic data to consider.

The Commerce Department raised its estimate of U.S. economic growth in the first three months of the year. Separately, a key gauge of home values showed U.S. home prices climbed in April, hitting record highs in several cities. In addition, the Conference Board said its measure of U.S. consumer confidence increased this month to the highest level since October.

Pharmaceutical company Endo International surged 18.3 percent, the biggest gainer in the S&P 500 index. The stock added $2.50 to $16.19.

Xencor vaulted 32.1 percent after the drugmaker announced a partnership with Novartis to develop two cancer drugs. The stock rose $4.02 to $16.56.

Several energy companies also notched gains.

Southwestern Energy climbed $1.47, or 11.8 percent, to $13.89, while Devon Energy added $2.24, or 6.6 percent, to $35.99. Cabot Oil & Gas gained $1.93, or 8 percent, to $25.99.

Earlier in Asia, markets bounced back from early losses as leaders signaled they were ready to step in with support policies. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index climbed 0.1 percent, while South Korea’s Kospi added 0.5 percent.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was a laggard, losing 0.3 percent. It was dragged down by companies with high exposure to Europe, such as billionaire tycoon’s Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Holdings, which has British retail, ports and telecom investments and fell 1.7 percent.

In currency markets, the pound recovered to $1.3343 from $1.3176 on Monday. The yen eased slightly against the dollar, though it was still hovering near its strongest level in two years. The dollar rose to 102.79 yen from 101.97 yen. The euro strengthened to $1.1049 from $1.1005.

Benchmark U.S. crude rose $1.52, or 3.3 percent, to close at $47.85 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, gained $1.42, or 3 percent, to close at $48.58 a barrel in London.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline rose 3 cents to $1.51 a gallon. Heating oil added 4 cents to $1.47 a gallon. Natural gas gained 20 cents, or 7.4 percent, to $2.92 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 1.46 percent from 1.44 late Monday.