U.S. stock indices followed oil prices and rose on Thursday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 125.18 points, or 0.8%, to 16,069.64. The S&P 500 climbed 10.41 points, or 0.6%, to 1,893.36 (health care was the only sector to finish lower with a 2.3% decline). The Nasdaq Composite rose 38.51 points, or 0.9%, to 4,506.68.

Analysts expect profits of S&P's companies to have declined by 6.3% in the fourth quarter compared to a decline of 7% expected a week ago.

Meanwhile the Department of Commerce reported that U.S. durable goods orders fell in December partly because of a sharp decline in demand for aircrafts. Orders fell by 5.1% after a 0.5% in November. Economists had expected a 0.6% decline.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng rose 1.80%, or 346.39, to 19,542.22. China Shanghai Composite Index surged 2.49%, or 66.16, to 2,721.82. The Nikkei gained 2.51%, or 428.26, to 17,469.71.

Asian stock indices rose. The Bank of Japan unexpectedly introduced negative rates cutting the deposit rate to -0.1% from 0.1%. The bank said this step was taken in order to stimulate inflation growth. According to the statement, the BOJ would keep the rate negative for "as long as it is necessary for maintaining that target in a stable manner."

Some analysts say that many market participants might have thought that the BOJ was running out of tools.