With earnings reports by some large corporates coming in very positive,US stocks were able to maintain their gains momentum.
An encouraging earnings forecast from UPS and stronger manufacturing figures lifted U.S. stocks for a sixth day.
The gains Thursday are modest following an unexpected increase in the number of newly laid off people seeking unemployment benefits.
UPS raised its full-year profit outlook and Federal Reserve reports on manufacturing signaled strength at factories.
The Dow Jones industrials are up 21 to close at 11,145. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index is up 1 at 1,212. The Nasdaq composite index is up 11 at 2,516.
Falling stocks narrowly outnumbered those that rose on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume rose to 1.2 billion from 1.1 billion Wednesday.


