U.S. stocks extend gains amid economic data

NEW YORK, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks closed up on Thursday, the last trading day of the month, as investors geared up for a batch of economic data ahead of a key report on employment.

The Dow gained 0.27 percent, and the S&P 500 rose 0.57 percent, while the Nasdaq increased 0.95 percent.