NEW YORK, Aug 12 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks extended gains on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve said the economy was leveling out.
* Technology shares rose after an upbeat report from chipmaker Applied Materials and financial shares bounced back from a recent decline.
* The Dow Jones industrial average gained 171.70 points, or 1.86 percent, to 9,413.15. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index rose 18.05 points, or 1.82 percent, to 1,012.40. The Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 44.46 points, or 2.26 percent, to 2,014.19. (Reporting by Leah Schnurr; Editing by Leslie Adler)