Shares of Cisco Systems Inc. led the technology sector higher Wednesday after CEO John Chambers vowed to take "bold steps" to turn the company around following recent missteps — including three disappointing quarterly reports.

In a memo to employees that the technology bellwether posted on its corporate blog Tuesday, Chambers offered few specifics but suggested that big changes are coming.

Shares of Cisco, which is the world's largest maker of networking equipment, on Wednesday rose 85 cents, or 5 percent — the most of any stock in the Dow Jones industrial average — to $18.07 in trading. The stock is still down about 10.4 percent year-to-date.

In a research note published during trading on Tuesday, Wedbush Morgan analyst Rohit Chopra called the memo a "necessary first step in order to reinvigorate growth" and added that he is "more optimistic about the company's prospects." In trading that day, Cisco shares rose 16 cents, or 1 percent, to close at 17.22.

Cisco has branched out beyond its core business of selling routers and switches that form the backbone of the Internet. It has moved into related areas such as cable set-top boxes and digital cameras that have made the company more visible to consumers.

Stock indexes are pushing higher ahead of the release of the minutes of the Federal Reserve's last meeting. The report is expected to give details into the central bank's views about how healthy the economy is.

Stocks had edged lower in early trading after a survey from the Institute of Supply Management showed a slower growth rate at service companies than analysts had predicted.

Microsoft, Intel and Cisco Systems are leading the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones industrial average.

The Dow is up 15 points, or 0.1 percent, to 12,415 in midday trading. The S&P is up 3, or 0.2 percent, to 1,335. The Nasdaq composite is up 11, or 0.4 percent, to 2,800.

Wisconsin Treasurer Kurt Schuller has drafted a bill that would eliminate his position and the office of the secretary of state.

The resolution would amend the state constitution to cut both offices by 2015, Schuller said Wednesday. Schuller, a Republican, promised during his campaign that he would only serve one term if elected and would work to get rid of the treasurer's office, which has little power.

If either the treasurer or secretary of state's office is eliminated, the elected officer's seat on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands would be filled by the lieutenant governor. If both offices are cut, the superintendent of public instruction would fill the remaining seat.

Schuller said Republican Rep. Scott Krug of Wisconsin Rapids will introduce the bill in the Assembly. If the Legislature approves the measure in two consecutive sessions, voters could provide final approval through separate statewide referendums. Voters could eliminate one or both offices. Legislators would have to reapportion any duties not designated by the constitution.

Schuller's proposal also would make the attorney general third in the line of gubernatorial succession.

Republican Gov. Scott Walker has proposed all but gutting the two offices in the upcoming 2011-13 budget. Under Walker's budget, the treasurer would only retain control over unclaimed property. The secretary of state's notary public and trademark duties would be transferred to the Department of Financial Institutions.

Stocks rose Thursday on stronger corporate earnings and hopes that the job market may be improving.

Software company Red Hat Inc., chip maker Micron Technology Inc. and Chef Boyardee maker ConAgra Foods Inc. all reported results that beat expectations. Earnings growth has been strong across U.S. companies, which are benefiting from lower costs and stronger revenue overseas.

The government also said fewer people filed for unemployment benefits last week, evidence that layoffs are slowing. The average number of unemployment filings over the last four weeks has dropped to its lowest level since July 2008.

"Corporate earnings continue to be exceptionally strong," said Oliver Pursche, president of Gary Goldberg Financial Services. "I think the markets continue to focus on the underlying recovery of the U.S. economy."

Investors are turning their attention away from a long list of recent worries including high oil prices, violence in Libya and Japan's nuclear crisis. Portugal also headed closer to a bailout after its government resigned late Wednesday. European leaders are meeting to discuss the region's debt problems.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 73 points, or 0.6 percent, to 12,159. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 9 points, or 0.7 percent, to 1,307. The Nasdaq composite index rose 29 points, or 1.1 percent, to 2,727.

Oil hovered around $106 per barrel Thursday after government reports gave a mixed read on the U.S. economic recovery.

The Commerce Department said companies trimmed orders for manufactured goods in February, suggesting that businesses are limiting their spending right now. More positive news came from the Labor Department, which said fewer people applied for unemployment benefits last week, evidence that employers could be expanding their work forces.

Benchmark crude prices fluctuated as traders digested the news. The contract for May delivery added 52 cents at $106.27 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Prices have jumped 24 percent since the middle of February, when a rebellion broke out in Libya and eventually squeezed off production that supplied nearly 2 percent of the world's oil. While rebels and pro-Gadhafi forces still battle in Libya, and the U.S. and other nations enforce a no-fly zone, some oil companies are taking their workers out of Yemen where anti-government protests have been intensifying. Yemen produces only 0.3 percent of the world's oil, according to the International Energy Administration, but it is an important transit point for crude shipments in the Middle East.