NEW YORK, Dec 16 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended higher on Thursday as economic bellwether FedEx offered a bullish profit outlook in a hopeful sign for growth
Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 42.01 points, or 0.37 percent, to end at 11,499.48. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index rose 7.66 points, or 0.62 percent, to 1,242.89. The Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 20.09 points, or 0.77 percent, to 2,637.31. (Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Kenneth Barry)