Market Recap: Rumors of Central Bank Intervention in EU Sends Market Soaring

Markets closed up today:

▲ Dow: +1.24 percent

▲ Nasdaq: +0.63 percent

▲ S&P: +1.08 percent

Precious metals:

▲ Gold: up +0.40 percent to $1,623.81 an ounce

▼ Silver: up -0.68 percent to settle at $28.64

Commodities:

▲ Oil: +2.03 percent

Markets were up because:

A report that major central banks would be ready to pump money into the financial system after the Greek elections this weekend gave the stock market a late push higher.

The Reuters report said major central banks were preparing for coordinated action if the results of Greek elections on Sunday strain global financial markets.

The Dow Jones industrial average jumped 155.53 points to close at 12,651.91 Thursday. That's a gain of 1.2 percent. The Dow jumped 100 points after the report came out then pulled back.

Investors are on edge ahead of Greece's election this weekend because parties opposed to the terms of the country's financial bailout could take control of the government. If that happens and the country leaves the euro, many fear the currency union could be torn apart and European banks could fail.

The stock market began climbing in early trading after a tame inflation reading and another weak jobs report raised expectations that the Federal Reserve would offer more support for the U.S. economy.

Applications for unemployment benefits rose last week, according to the latest government report. The four-week average increased for a third straight week, another sign that the jobs market remains weak.

The government's main measure of U.S. consumer prices fell in May by 0.3 percent, the biggest drop since December 2008. Analysts said the slowdown in price increases could make it more likely that the Fed will announce new steps to boost the economy when it meets next week. Low inflation gives the Fed more leeway to inject money into the financial system, keep interest rates low and encourage borrowing.

The Standard & Poor's 500 rose 14.22 points to 1,329.10. The Nasdaq composite gained 17.72 points to 2,836.33.

The gains were broad. All 10 industry groups in the S&P 500 rose. International Game Technology led the S&P with a 14.3 percent leap, following the company's announcement that it would buy up to $1 billion of its own stock. The stock jumped $1.90 to $15.12.

Just the whiff of another round of help from the Fed has been enough to shoot stocks higher in recent weeks, but the gains often disappear as quickly as they arrive. Last Wednesday, the Dow posted its best day this year, surging 286 points. Comments from a Fed official that hinted at more stimulus helped launch the rally.

The enthusiasm fizzled the next day, however, after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke told a closely watched Congressional hearing that no new steps were being contemplated at the moment.

The question of will or won't the Fed act next week is top of mind for investors. The Fed's latest round of bond purchases winds down at the end of this month, and market players wonder whether a third is on the way, or if the current program might be extended. By making trillions of dollars' worth of bond purchases, the Fed helps keep interest rates ultra-low and encourages investors to put money into other assets, like stocks.

In Europe, borrowing rates for Spain touched a record high Thursday after the rating agency Moody's cut its credit rating to one notch above junk status. Spain's benchmark 10-year bond hit 6.96 percent before pulling back.

Major stock indexes in Europe barely budged. Greek stocks were the exception. Athens' main index surged 10 percent following rumors that elections this weekend will yield a government that can keep the country in the euro. Greek law forbids the release of new public opinion polls in the last two weeks before the election.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.