Major U.S. stock-indexes higher on Wednesday, helped by a rise in energy and healthcare stocks, as investors awaited the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve's meeting on monetary policy in March. U.S. crude jumped more than 4%, helping prop up energy stocks, after data suggested a smaller-than-expected rise in crude inventories for last week. Investors, who have been grappling with mixed signals on interest rates from Fed officials, will parse the minutes to gain insight into the central bank's thinking on the economy.

Most of Dow stocks in positive area (21 of 30). Top looser - Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ, -1,41%). Top gainer - Pfizer Inc. (PFE, +3,97%).

Almost all S&P sectors in positive area. Top looser - Utilities (-0,4%). Top gainer - Healthcare (+2,4%).

At the moment:

Dow 17585.00 +58.00 +0.33%

S&P 500 2051.00 +12.25 +0.60%

Nasdaq 100 4509.00 +39.50 +0.88%

Oil 37.75 +1.86 +5.18%

Gold 1224.30 -5.30 -0.43%

U.S. 10yr 1.76 +0.03