U.S. stocks ended higher on Thursday, lifted by technology shares amid bets that business spending will help increase profits in the sector.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 29.93 points, or 0.28 percent, to end at 10,710.70. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 2.77 points, or 0.24 percent, at 1,148.45. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 8.84 points, or 0.38 percent, at 2,316.74.