Shares of banks and other financial institutions rose amid signs of stability in global markets.
Recent fears about disruption from artificial intelligence had caused volatility in stock and bond markets.
Federal Reserve officials signaled little appetite for reducing interest rates at their meeting last month, with most indicating they wanted to see further progress on inflation before considering any further cuts -- a process that could take months.
In one development that may calm market fears, Fed officials attributed much of the recent rout in the U.S. dollar to the Japanese central bank's "rate check."
Moody's logged higher profit and revenue in the fourth quarter, as adoption of new technology across its business bore fruit.
Shares of Global Payments surged after the provider of point-of-sale and other financial technology posted quarterly earnings surpassed investors' expectations.
Shares of Mediobanca rose after majority-owner Banca Monte dei Paschi di Sienna said it would delist the Italian investment bank from Milan's stock exchange.
Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
02-18-26 1749ET
