New york: Major indices on Wall Street closed higher at the end of trading on Thursday.

According to Emirates News Agency, the S and P 500 index rose by 11.54 points, or 0.16 percent, to close at 7444.51 points. The Nasdaq Composite also gained 25.82 points, or 0.09 percent, to reach 26296.18 points. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 278.91 points, or 0.56 percent, ending the session at 50288.26 points.