'In fact, while there continues to be a need for government involvement to stabilize the financial system, that necessity is waning,' he said. 'The growing stability resulting from these interventions means we are beginning to return to normalcy.'

The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 21.39 points, or 0.2 percent, to 9,626.80. The broader Standard and Poor's 500 picked up 6.61 points, or 0.6 percent, to 1,049.34. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index earned 10.88 points, or 0.5 percent, to 2,091.78.

The US currency was fell against the euro to 68.36 euro cents from 68.60 euro cents on Friday and gained to 90.90 Japanese yen from 90.63 yen.