U.S. shares close in green territories

U.S. stocks closed in the green areas, yet with modest gains after a two straight sessions of losses, on ECB stimulus comments, ahead of the ECB meeting and Friday’s jobs report.

The ECB gave more details about its €1tn quantitative easing program by revealing that the bank would start buying bonds on March 9, including debt with negative yields, where the purchases will amount to 60 billion euros each month.  

ECB President Mario Draghi also stressed that the bank may extend its bond purchases beyond September 2016, if required.

The generous stimulus plans announced by major central banks have bolstered equity markets, especially in the United States.

Investors remain cautious before the release of the infamous nonfarm payrolls, which mirrors the health of the labor market.  

First-time job seekers asking for benefits in the U.S. rose by 7,000 to 320,000 in the week through February 28, compared to 313,000 a week before. 

American employers probably added 240.000 jobs last month, the non-farm payrolls figures due on Friday may show.

The NASDAQ composite index was up 0.3% at 4,982.81 points, reminding that the index rose above 5,000 points this week for the first time in 15 years.