S&P 500 index finished higher on Thursday, supported by financials on news Greek plan to restructure its debt should not affect any bond insurance payments yet. US index gained 0.62% or 8.41 points and closed at 1,374.09. Goldman Sachs rallied 5.2% after lender agreed to buy Ariel Holdings Ltd insurance business. Morgan Stanley gained 3.5% and Citigroup Inc added 2.4%. Gap jumped 7.2%. The clothing trader reported its key sales figure added 4% in February, lifted by accelerating demand for spring clothing. Apple Inc extended gains for a sixth straight session and climbed 0.4%.