Stocks Ended Higher, Nasdaq Post Another Record High

U.S stocks ended higher on Thursday, with the Nasdaq Composite posting another record high,as investors digested better-than-expected weekly jobless claims data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 185.46 points, or 0.68%, to 27,386.98. The S&P 500 advanced 21.39 points, or 0.64%, to 3,349.16. The Nasdaq Composite gained 109.67 points, or 1.00%, to 11,108.07.

Oil futures ended a choppy trading session in negative territory Thursday, as analysts assessed signs of lackluster fuel demand. West Texas Intermediate crude for September delivery lost 24 cents, or 0.6%, to close at $41.95 a barrel. October Brent crude fell 8 cents, or 0.2%, to settle at $45.09 a barrel.