US stocks rose for the third session Thursday as investors welcomed news that factories are getting busier, jobless claims are waning and inflation remains low.
American International Group Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and Pfizer Inc. all rose after Dow Jones said they would enter its key blue-chip industrial average next week, reflecting growth in their industries.
By midday, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 8.96 points, or 0.09 percent, at 10,366.66. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 4.57 points, or 0.41 percent, at 1,130.78. The technology-laced Nasdaq Composite Index was up 12.29 points, or 0.62 percent, at 2,006.51.