Stocks extended early gains on Thursday after data showed business activity in the U.S. Midwest grew more than expected this month, helped by a jump in new orders.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> jumped 107.24 points, or 0.87 percent, at 12,368.66. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 10.46 points, or 0.80 percent, at 1,317.87. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 22.61 points, or 0.83 percent, at 2,763.10.

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch)