Nasdaq closes above 11,000 for first time

US stock indices rose on Thursday, lifted by optimism about the second stimulus package from the Congress to ease the coronavirus impact, and Nasdaq posted its 32nd record close this year above 11,000 points for the first time ever.

The US Department of Labor revealed today that the unemployment claims fell to 1.18 million during the past week.

This comes ahead of the monthly jobs report on Friday, amid expectations for the addition of 1.5 million jobs in July, and the unemployment rate to fall to 10.5%.

The political leaders at the Congress are continuing their debate over relief bill, which is aimed at countering the coronavirus impact on the US economy.

To the oil market, West Texas Intermediate crude fell 0.6% to close at $41.95 a barrel, after it hit a high of $43.6 and a low of $41.6.

Brent fell 0.2% to $45.09 a barrel, with a high of $45.7 and a low of $44.8.

As for stocks, Dow Jones rose 0.7% or 185 points to settle at 27,387, with a day high of 27,394 and a low of 27,145.

Nasdaq rose 1% or 109 points to 11,108, after it hit a high of 11,121 and a low of 10,963.

S&P 500 rose 0.6% or 21 points to close at 3,349, with a high of 3,351 and a low of 3,318.