S&P Rises on Solid Economic Data



Stocks rose Thursday, regaining their footing after a mixed session, following the release of upbeat U.S. economic data.

The Dow Jones Industrials regained 216.97 points to 42,131.72

The S&P 500 index recovered 28.21 points to 5,750.47, led higher by gains in Micron Technology

The NASDAQ Composite popped 111.17 points to 18,192.38.

Micron traded 18% higher after issuing strong guidance for the current quarter. Results for Micron’s fiscal fourth quarter also topped analysts’ estimates. Fellow semiconductor-linked stocks Applied Materials and Lam Research both rose 6% in sympathy.

Weekly jobless claims fell more than expected, pointing to a steady labor market. Durable goods orders for August were unchanged versus economists’ expectations for a decline. And the final reading of second-quarter GDP was unrevised at a strong 3%.

Prices for the 10-year Treasury dropped, lifting yields to 3.81% from Wednesday’s 3.79%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.

Oil prices sank $1.73 at $67.96 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices nicked ahead $1.70 to $2,686.40 U.S. an ounce