Dow extends gains above 10 000

New York - The Dow Jones blue-chip index added to gains Thursday a day after leaping above the key 10 000 level as upbeat earnings helped the market keep its upward momentum.

At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 46.63 points (0.47%) to 10 064.49, a day after closing above the key 10 000 level for the first time in more than a year.

The Nasdaq composite edged up 1.06 points (0.05%) to 2 173.29 and the broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index added 4.45 points (0.41%) to a preliminary close of 1 096.47.

The market action came on positive economic data and corporate earnings before the opening bell.

Finance giants Goldman Sachs and Citigroup both glided past analysts' expectations with ease while fresh data on initial claims for unemployment benefits insurance and consumer prices in the country were also viewed as positive.

"The current earnings season is unfolding better than expected with virtually all the big name companies that have reported earnings thus far topping estimates and generally delivering revenues that were close to or above estimates," said Fred Dickson at DA Davidson & Co.

"This morning's reports from Goldman Sachs and Citigroup add to the list of companies delivering positive surprises."

- AFP