U.S. stocks closed higher on Thursday but ran into a technical resistance level that is likely to limit a further rise in the near-term.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 45.14 points, or 0.36 percent, at 12,605.32. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 2.90 points, or 0.22 percent, at 1,343.58. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 8.31 points, or 0.30 percent, at 2,823.31.

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch)