Major US stock indices rose slightly on Thursday, helped by the rise in the price of the basic resources sector and the utilities sector.

The focus was also on the United States data. As it became known today, the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits remained unchanged last week, remaining near historically low levels as the end of 2017 approaches. Initial applications for unemployment benefits, the indicator of layoffs for all US states, amounted to 245,000, seasonally adjusted for the week ended December 23, unchanged from the previous week, the Labor Ministry reported on Thursday. Economists last week expected 240,000 new applications.

At the same time, Chicago purchasing managers' index rose to 67.6 in December, compared with 63.9 in November, finishing the year at the highest level since March 2011. In the quarterly measurement, the index rose to 65.9 in the fourth quarter from 61.0 in the third quarter, marking the best quarterly figures from the 1st quarter of 2011, with only the second time in the last decade three consecutive readings above 60 for the period October to December .

Most components of the DOW index recorded a rise (19 out of 30). The leader of growth was UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH, + 0.95%). Outsider - The Coca-Cola Company (KO, -0.54%).

Most sectors of the S & P index finished trading in positive territory. The base resources sector grew most (+ 0.4%). The largest decrease was shown by the conglomerate sector (-0.2%).

At closing:

DJIA + 0.26% 24,837.51 +63.21

Nasdaq + 0.16% 6.950.16 +10.82

S & P + 0.18% 2,687.54 +4.92