S&P 500 edges to record

New York - The S&P 500 on Thursday edged to a new record as investors weighed solid economic data with ongoing violence in Iraq that pushed oil prices to a new nine-month high.

At the closing bell, the broad-based S&P 500 rose 2.12 points (0.11%) to 1 959.10, its second consecutive record finish.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 11.63 (0.07%) to 16 918.25, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index dipped 3.87 (0.09%) to 4 358.97.

The Labor Department reported initial jobless claims fell by 6 000 last week, while the Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators rose 0.5% in May.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama offered up to 300 US advisers to train Iraqi forces. Iraqi forces regained control of the nation's largest oil refinery, but rebels remain in control of swathes of the country.

Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Rockwell Global Capital, said Thursday's trade showed a "reflecting and pausing market" following recent gains in equities.