U.S. stocks rose Thursday as the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits came in below expectations. The tech-heavy Nasdaq closed at a record high, increasing 1%, or 109.67 points, to 11108.07 in its fourth consecutive record close and continuing the strong run of technology giants this year. The S&P 500 rose 0.6%, or 21.39 points, to 3349.16 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 185.46 points, or 0.7%, to 27386.98. ...