Netflix

The online-retail giant is letting customers subscribe to its video-streaming service by itself for the first time, CNN Money reports — creating a standalone service that acts as a direct competitor to Netflix.

Amazon has been heavily investing in its digital-content business in recent years. But until now, it has only ever been available as part of Amazon Prime, Amazon's subscription service that also includes free one-day delivery.

But now customers will be able to subscribe on a month-by-month basis just to the video options — straightforwardly named Amazon Video.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 147 points, or 0.9 percent, to 16,646 as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time Wednesday.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index climbed 17 points, or 0.9 percent, to 1,986. The Nasdaq composite rose 46 points, or 1 percent, to 4,857.

Japan's market jumped the most in almost seven years as investors hoped for more stimulus measures. Markets in China and Europe also rose sharply.

The online streaming service announced the news Thursday.

The film will be based on Loung Ung's memoir of her experiences during the Khmer Rouge regime as a child. It's expected to be available on Netflix in late 2016.

Jolie co-adapted the script with Ung. The actress and director says the memoir deepened her understanding of how children experience war. It also helped reinforce her connection to Cambodia, where her son Maddox was born.

Netflix, eBay and Citigroup all rose Thursday after delivering results that beat analysts' forecasts.

European markets also rose after Greece's creditors agreed to loan the country more money and provide more support for its banks.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 70 points, or 0.4 percent, to 18,120.

Citigroup, Intel, Netflix and eBay all rose in early trading Thursday after reporting results that beat analysts' forecasts.

European markets also rose after Greece's parliament approved pension reforms, tax increases and other measures demanded by its creditors.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 62 points, or 0.3 percent, at 18,107 as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time.