US stocks edged higher on Thursday as data pointing to gains in the manufacturing sector offset Wal-Mart Stores Inc's disappointing outlook. The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank's mid-Atlantic factory survey showed more-than-expected growth in February as new orders surged, while the Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators rose for the 10th month to a record high in January.
Shares of natural resources companies, including miners, were among the biggest gainers, followed by technology companies and major manufacturers. Boeing Co rose nearly 1 percent and International Business Machines Corp was up 0.7 percent.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 19.80 points, or 0.19 percent, to 10,329.04. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 1.28 points, or 0.12 percent, to 1,100.79. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 2.87 points, or 0.13 percent, to 2,229.16.