Dow Jones Industrial Average index traded higher on Thursday as steady jobless claims data were overshadowed by strong home sales data. Blue chip index surged 0.87% or 113.90 points to 13,204.62. Exxon Mobil slipped 0.9% after the energy company said its profit declined by 11%. Wal-Mart Stores recovered from recent slump related to bribery scandal and gained 2.8%. Chevron added 2.3% as the energy firm raised its dividend. AT&T prolonged its gains and climbed 2.2%.