New York, May 19 (IANS) US stocks gained strength Wednesday as traders were encouraged by Dell's strong earnings and a recovery in commodity prices.

Market sentiment was bolstered after Dell reported stronger- than-expected earnings late Tuesday. With its profit nearly tripled in the latest quarter, the computer maker reassured investors about its full-year outlook, giving the market some relief after Hewlett Packard cut its full-year outlook on weak consumer demand.

The strong performance in both energy and materials stocks pushed the market higher. US crude oil price rebounded more than three percent and settled above $100 a barrel Wednesday, giving oil producers and relative companies a lift.

Investors were also keeping a close watch on the minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee, which showed policy-makers were divided in the timing of a possible monetary tightening.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 80.60 points, or 0.65 percent, to 12,560.18. The Standard & Poor's 500 jumped 11.70 points, or 0.88 percent, to 1,340.68. The Nasdaq Composite Index rallied 31.79 points, or 1.14 percent, to 2,815.00.