US stocks turn higher, S&P 500 closes at fresh record

The major US stock indices closed higher on Thursday, as S&P 500 hit a new record close for the second straight session amid optimism about the US economy.

Data showed that the US unemployment claims rose to 744K during the past week, worse than forecasts of 684K. 

The International Monetary Fund raised its projections for the US economy to grow by 6.4% in 2021 based on the Federal Reserve's forecasts.

The 10-year US Treasury bond yield fell to 1.641% today.

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said today that the Fed wants to make sure there are strong signs on the US economic recovery before changing its current monetary policy, which includes near zero interest rates and asset purchases.

To the oil market, WTI crude April futures fell 0.3% or 17 cents, and closed at $59.60 a barrel, after hitting a high of $59.8 and a low of $58.8.

Brent May futures rose 0.1% or 4 cents, to $63.20 a barrel, after hitting a high of $63.4 and a low of $62.3.

As for stocks, Dow Jones rose 0.2% or 57 points, and closed at 33,503, with a day high of 33,506, and a low of 33,342.

S&P 500 rose 0.4% or 17 points to 4,097, after hitting a high of 4,098 and a low of 4,082.

Nasdaq rose 1% or 140 points to 13,829, with a high of 13,830 and a low of 13,758 points.