Major U.S. stocks higher on Thursday as oil prices rallied and ECB President Mario Draghi raised hopes of easing monetary policy further as soon as March.

The European Central Bank kept its main rates on hold and Draghi said the central bank would "review and possibly reconsider" its monetary policy stance in March. Many analysts had not expected a rate cut before June.

Oil prices recovered from earlier losses and were sharply higher.

Almost all of Dow stocks in positive area (28 of 30). Top looser - UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH, -0,85%). Top gainer - The Home Depot, Inc. (HD, +4,34%).

All of S&P sectors in positive area. Top gainer - Basic Materials (+3,8%).

At the moment:

Dow 15916.00 +199.00 +1.27%

S&P 500 1877.00 +22.00 +1.19%

Nasdaq 100 4177.00 +44.00 +1.06%

Oil 30.12 +1.77 +6.24%

Gold 1093.60 -12.60 -1.14%

U.S. 10yr 2.03 +0.05