US stocks edged higher on Wednesday as a round of positive data boosted optimism about the pace of global growth and Hewlett-Packard rallied after announcing its results. Weekly jobless claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell in the latest week, a sign of steady improvement in the labour market.
Tech shares were the strongest of the day, rising 0.8 percent a day after Hewlett-Packard Co beat revenue forecasts, with sales growth in its server and networking businesses inspiring optimism about the company's turnaround plan. The stock jumped 9.3 percent to $27.41.
The Dow Jones industrial average was up 23.53 points, or 0.15 percent, at 16,096.33. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 4.31 points, or 0.24 percent, at 1,807.06. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 18.00 points, or 0.45 percent, at 4,035.75.
Trading was light, with many traders out for the Thanksgiving holiday. Markets will close on Thursday and will finish early at 1 pm (1800 GMT) on Friday.