The Nasdaq <.IXIC> hit a session high and the Dow industrials returned to positive territory as better-than-expected results from BlackBerry maker Research In Motion

Canada's Research in Motion, a technology bellwether, posted surprisingly strong results after the bell on Thursday. RIM jumped 22 percent to $59.97.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 31.54 points, or 0.40 percent, at 8,009.62. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 6.40 points, or 0.77 percent, at 840.78. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 16.33 points, or 1.02 percent, at 1,618.96.

(Editing by James Dalgleish)

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