U.S. stocks extended gains on Thursday, with the Nasdaq rising more than 2 percent, after upbeat productivity data and stronger-than-expected quarterly profit from Cisco Systems Inc .

Business productivity grew at the fastest pace in six years and applications for jobless insurance fell to a 10-month low.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 181.00 points, or 1.85 percent, to 9,983.14. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 16.94 points, or 1.62 percent, to 1,063.44. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> jumped 45.18 points, or 2.20 percent, to 2,100.70.

(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)