NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. stock market surged on Thursday, with the main indexes recording their best one-day gains in years, as investors continued to cheer the Federal Reserve's accomodative approach to monetary policy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 421 points, or 2.4%, to 17,778.15, a day after the Federal Reserve said it "can be patient" about the timing of its first rate hike, signaling increases will be slow and steady. It was the first time in more than six years that the Dow recorded two consecutive days of gains exceeding 200 points. The S&P 500 SPX, -1.15% jumped 48.34 points, or 2.4%, to 2,061.23, it's biggest one-day gain in nearly two years. Technology and healthcare sectors led the gains, while all ten main sectors ended the session with solid gains. The Nasdaq Composite COMP, -0.13% ended the day with a gain of 104 points, or 2.2%, at 4,748.