Bernanke has told Congress the recession might end this year, and that regulators aren't planning to nationalize banks. The news alleviated some of investors' worries about the economy and the banking system, and lifted the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index off their lowest levels since 1997.
Analysts said the market was also hoping that President Barack Obama, who speaks to the nation Tuesday night, will offer details about his plans to help stabilize the financial system.
The Dow is up 236 points at 7,350, while the S&P 500 index is up 29 at 773. The Nasdaq composite index is up 54 at 1,441.
Advancing issues are ahead of losers by 5 to 1 on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume came to 1.84 billion shares.
