U.S. markets close higher Thursday

Concern over national debt devaluing the euro has risen in recent weeks.

The U.S. Department of Labor said filings for first-time unemployment benefits dropped sharply, down by 43,000 claims in the week ending Feb. 6.

By close, the Dow Jones industrial average added 1.05 percent, 105.81 points, to 10,144.19. The Standard & Poor's 500 gained 0.97 percent, 10.34, to 1,078.47. The Nasdaq composite index rose 1.38 percent, 29.54, to 2,177.41.

On the New York Stock Exchange, 2,337 stocks advanced and 692 declined on a volume of 4.4 billion shares traded.

The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasuries was at 3.72 percent.

The euro fell to $1.3684 from Wednesday's $1.373. Against the yen, the dollar fell to 89.71 yen from Wednesday's 89.96 yen.

The stock market in Japan was closed for a holiday Thursday.

In Britain, the FTSE 100 index rose 0.57 percent, 29.49 points, to 5,161.48.

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