U.S. stocks finished higher on Thursday and ended a four-day losing run after stronger-than-expected retail data boosted economic recovery hopes.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 60.91 points, or 0.66 percent, to end at 9,341.58. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 8.21 points, or 0.83 percent, at 1,002.96. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 16.13 points, or 0.82 percent, at 1,983.20.

Retail