US stocks end choppy session higher

US stocks closed higher on Thursday after a mid-session volatility, drawing support from upbeat economic data, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's statements.

The US Department of Labor revealed today that the number of unemployment claims fell 55,000 to the lowest level since March at 787,000 last week.

Ms. Pelosi stated that progress was made during negotiations with the White House and they're "just about there" on reaching the second Covid-19 stimulus deal, but warned that it’ll take a while to write the bill.

To the oil market, WTI crude November futures at Nymex rose 1.5% or 61 cents, and closed at $40.64 a barrel, after hitting a high of $41.02 and a low of $39.7.

Brent December futures at LME rose 1.7% or 73 cents, to $42.46 a barrel, with a high of $42.7 and a low of $41.4.

As for stocks, Dow Jones rose 0.5% or 153 points to close at 28,363, after it hit a day high 28,363 and a low 28,040.

Nasdaq rose 0.2% or 21 points to 11,506, with a high 11,548 and a low 11,369.

S&P 500 rose 0.5% or 18 points to 3,453, after hitting a high of 3,460 and a low of 3,415.