U.S. stocks turned higher on Thursday after a key survey of the factory sector showed activity grew in August.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 66.07 points, or 0.57 percent, to 11,679.60. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 7.36 points, or 0.60 percent, to 1,226.25. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> climbed 17.13 points, or 0.66 percent, to 2,596.59.

(Reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak)