U.S. stock indices ended Tuesday’s trading with a significant rise thanks to investors’ optimism about the outcome of the first face-to-face talks between representatives of Russia and Ukraine in two weeks.

The Russian side intends to take two steps to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine, head of the Russian delegation Vladimir Medinsky told reporters after talks with his Ukrainian counterparts in Istanbul on Tuesday. Medinsky also noted that the talks were constructive.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said that military activity in the Kiev and Chernihiv directions would be reduced in order to increase mutual trust and create conditions for further negotiations.

“A sense of positivity returned to financial markets as the prospect of continued ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine calmed investors’ nerves,” said FXTM Senior Analyst Lukman Otunuga.

The positive sentiment was reflected in lower prices for many commodities, which also supported equity markets, noted Wilmington Trust Investment Director Tony Roth.

Investors also continue to assess the future trajectory of U.S. interest rates after the first increase in borrowing costs in four years in mid-March.

“Markets seem resigned to the idea that the rate hike cycle has already begun and believe it will not spell the end of economic growth. They still believe equities are the most profitable asset class,” said State Street Global Advisors analyst Altaf Kassam.

Meanwhile, the U.S. consumer confidence index rose to 107.2 points in March from a revised 105.7 points a month earlier, the Conference Board research organization said. Earlier it was reported that in February the indicator amounted to 110.5 points. Analysts on average expected the indicator to decline to 107 points from the previously announced February value, data from Trading Economics showed.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average index rose 0.97% to 35294.19 points.

The leaders of growth in the index were shares of Visa Inc. up 3.3%, Boeing Co. – by 2.9% and Nike Inc. – by 3.2%. Securities of only five companies ended in the negative, including shares of Travelers Cos. fell in price by 1.6%, Chevron Corp. – by 1.2%.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 1.23% to 4,631.6 points.

The Nasdaq Composite index jumped 1.84% to 14619.64 points.

The capitalization of express delivery service FedEx Corp. rose by 3.7% after the announcement that its founder Fred Smith will resign as CEO. Raj Subramaniam, the company’s president and chief operating officer, will become the new CEO. In turn, Smith will take over as executive chairman of the board of directors. The changes will be effective June 1.

Shares of Robinhood Markets Inc. soared 24% on news that the operator of a popular platform for trading on the stock market extends its hours of operation – now the site will be available to users from 7 am to 8 pm North American Eastern Time.

Shares of analyst firm Nielsen Holdings jumped 21% on news that a group of private equity firms is buying the firm for $16 billion, including debt. The consortium will pay $28 per Nielsen share. Last week, the company turned down a purchase offer from a group of investors who were willing to pay $25.4 per share.

Quotes of securities Tesla rose by 0.7% after a jump of 8% the day before. The electric car maker earlier said it would ask shareholders at the annual meeting for permission to conduct a stock split in the form of dividends.

Shares of U.S. pharmaceutical NeoGenomics Inc. fell 30% amid CEO Mark Mallon’s resignation and the company lowered its outlook for the first quarter of this year.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH), the largest U.S. health insurance company, agreed to buy LHC Group, which specializes in home health care, for more than $5.5 billion. LHC shares rose 5.9%, while UnitedHealth shares fell 0.6%.