Wall Street ends 1% higher as investors look to earnings

US stock indices closed the fourth session of the week higher, resuming the gains after President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the military strike on Syria could be imminent or not imminent, throwing shade over the whole issue, while investors look forward to the first quarter earnings season for major American banks and corporations.

Earlier US data showed unemployment claims fell 9 thousand to 233 thousand from 242K in the previous reading, above expectations of 231K, while import prices steadied at zero, compared to a 0.3% rise in February, and missing expectations of 0.2%. 

Dow Jones rose 1.21%, or 293.60 points to 24,483.05, while Standard and Poor's 500 rose 0.83%, or 21.80 points to 2,663.99, as NASDAQ Composite rallied 1.01%, or 71.22 points to 7,140.25. 

Gold futures due on June 15 tumbled 1.60% to $1,338.30 an ounce from the opening of $1,360, as the dollar index rose 0.22% to 89.77 from the opening of 89.57. 

US crude futures due on May 15 rose 0.48% to $67.14 a barrel from the opening of $66.82, while Brent futures due on June 15 jumped 0.03% to $72.08 a barrel from the opening of $72.06.