NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. and global stocks were broadly higher in midday trading Thursday, helped by comments from European Central Bank policymakers, who said they were willing to provide more stimulus to the region's economy, if needed. A rebound in oil prices lifted energy stocks.

KEEPING SCORE: The Dow Jones industrial average was up 138 points, or 1 percent, to 16,490 as of 12:10 p.m. Eastern time. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 17 points, or 0.9 percent, to 1,966 and the Nasdaq composite rose 26 points, or 0.6 percent, to 4,776.

READY TO ACT: The European Central Bank said it's ready to give the eurozone a bigger dose of stimulus should inflation across the 19-country bloc fail to pick up, President Mario Draghi said in a news conference. Along with lower interest rates, the ECB is pumping 60 billion euros a month into the economy through purchases of government and corporate bonds. The program is slated to run at least through September 2016.

European markets jumped on the news. Germany's DAX closed up 2.7 percent, France's CAC-40 rose 2.2 percent and U.K.'s FTSE 100 rose 1.8 percent.

CENTRAL BANKS: At the same time the ECB is stimulating the eurozone economy, the Federal Reserve could raise U.S. interest rates for the first time since the financial crisis. While chances of a September interest rate hike have diminished because of signs of weakening global growth and a sell-off in Chinese stocks, the growing U.S. economy may be ready to withstand higher interest rates.

ENERGY: Oil markets advanced, continuing to rebound from a massive sell-off earlier in the week. Benchmark U.S. crude rose $1.14 to $47.39 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude oil, which is used to price oil internationally, gained 85 cents to $51.35 a barrel in London.

Energy stocks rose more than the rest of the market. The energy component of the S&P 500 index gained 1.3 percent.

JOBS ON TAP: Friday's jobs report for August could play a big role in guiding the Fed's decision on interest rates this month. Economists are forecasting that U.S. employers created 220,000 jobs last month and that the unemployment rate fell to 5.2 percent.

A private survey that came out Wednesday reflected some weakness in the job market. The payroll processor ADP said U.S. businesses added 190,000 jobs last month, up from 177,000 in July, but below a six-month high set in June of 231,000 and below the 200,000 jobs expected.

NO JOY: Shares of Joy Global, which makes heavy machinery used in mining, dropped $3.78, or 17 percent, to $18.34 after the company posted results far lower than analysts expected. The company also cut its full-year forecasts. Like other equipment makers in the energy and materials industries, Joy has been hurt by low prices for oil, metals and other commodities, which have diminished demand for equipment to extract those resources.

BONDS, CURRENCIES: U.S. government bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.16 percent from 2.19 percent late Wednesday. The euro fell to $1.1105 from $1.1238. The dollar fell to 120.17 yen from 120.24 yen.