The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite are on pace for a second day of gains after President Trump said he won’t fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell after all, but he still pushed him to cut interest rates now.

Stocks closed solidly higher Wednesday, though well off their earlier highs, as investor concerns about tariffs and Federal Reserve independence eased following comments from President Donald Trump.

Remarks by President Trump and his Treasury secretary fueled a rebound in markets, highlighting how Wall Street is influenced by news about the White House’s policy intentions.

Stocks were holding onto sizable gains Wednesday as many investors cheered the possibility trade talks between the United States might at least start. At the same time, President Trump's announcement he wouldn't try to remove Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell cheered the market,

Global stock markets rallied Wednesday after US President Donald Trump moved to reassure investors by confirming he has “no intention” of firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, while also indicating a possible reduction in tariffs on Chinese goods.

U.S. stock futures point to a lower open, a day after stocks rallied on hopes of a thaw in the U.S.-China trade war and that Fed Chairman Jerome Powell will get to keep his job.

By Stephen Culp NEW YORK (Reuters) -Wall Street stocks advanced on Wednesday on revived hopes for progress in the U.S.-China trade dispute and as President Donald Trump soothed fears the Federal Reserve could lose its autonomy with reassurances that he has "no intention of firing" Fed Chair Jerome Powell.