[Read more: Is the stock market flashing a warning about the economy?]

Investors had been particularly skittish about technology companies, amid reports that Apple is facing softer-than-expected demand for its new iPhones and as the steady stream of revelations about privacy lapses, security issues and mismanagement raised expectations that social networks would face regulations.

Among the technology stocks that have been hit hard in recent days, Amazon, Facebook and Alphabet, Google’s parent company, rose more than 1 percent on Wednesday. Apple fell slightly, bringing its losses since Monday to more than 8 percent.

Energy stocks, among the worst performers on Tuesday, also rose, as crude oil prices recovered from their lowest level this year.

[Find out what’s been going on with crude oil prices lately.]