Stocks ended higher on Thursday, as signs of strength in the economy and higher-than-expected profit at FedEx outweighed more warnings about Europe.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 47.45 points, or 0.40 percent, at 11,870.93. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 4.08 points, or 0.34 percent, at 1,215.90. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 1.60 points, or 0.06 percent, at 2,540.91.

(Reporting By Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Kenneth Barry)