Wall Street ends higher, led by tech, finance

US stock indices closed the fourth session of the week higher after a spate of disappointing data from the world's largest economy, which hurt chances of four Federal Reserve rate hikes in 2018.  

Disappointing US Data 

Earlier US data showed the final reading for first-quarter GDP growth down to 2.0% from 2.2% in the second reading and 2.9% in the fourth quarter of 2017, while GDP prices accelerated to 2.2% from 1.9% in the second reading and 2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2017. 

US unemployment claims rose 9 thousand to 227 thousand from 218 thousand, above forecasts of 220K, while continuing claims for the week ending June 16 fell 21 thousand to 1.705 million from 1.7426 million, below forecasts of 1.718 million.

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic spoke about affordable housing and jobs at the Center for Working Families, in Atlanta, where he pointed to sustained economic recovery in the US with few surprises, while noting his concerns about potential slower growth. 

Indices, Commodities  

Dow Jones rose 0.41%, or 98.46 points to 24,216.05, while Standard and Poor's 500 rose 0.62%, or 16.68 points to 2,716.31. NASDAQ Composite climbed 0.79% , or 58.60 points to 7,503.68. 

Gold futures due on August 15 fell 0.51% to $1,249.70 an ounce from the opening of $1,259.90, marking December 13 lows, while the dollar index rose 0.02% to 95.31 from the opening of 95.29. 

US crude futures due on August 15 added 0.74% to $73.30 a barrel from the opening of $72.76, marking the highest since November 26, 2014, while Brent futures added 0.09% to $77.69 a barrel from the opening of $77.62, marking May 31 highs.