NEW YORK, Oct 29 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Thursday, sending the S&P 500 up 2 percent, as data showing that the U.S. economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter buoyed hopes of a recovery in corporate profits.
* The Dow Jones industrial average gained 179.41 points, or 1.84 percent, to 9,942.10. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 21.11 points, or 2.02 percent, to 1,063.74. The Nasdaq Composite Index gained 37.25 points, or 1.81 percent, to 2,096.86.
* Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq were on track to halt a four-day decline, with shares of big manufacturers, technology and financial companies among standouts. (Reporting by Ellis Mnyandu; Editing by Kenneth Barry)