NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. stocks closed higher as investors hoped a deal can be struck on Greece's debt issues.
Hopes were raised Wednesday after Greece's government appeared to soften its stance toward its creditors. However, European officials ruled out any deal before a Greek referendum this weekend.
In deal news, Chubb soared 26 percent after agreeing to be acquired by rival insurance company Ace for about $28 billion.
The Dow Jones industrial average gained 138 points, or 0.8 percent, to 17,757.
The Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 14 points, or 0.7 percent, to 2,077. The Nasdaq composite climbed 26 points, or 0.5 percent, to 5,013.
Bond prices fell. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.42 percent.