U.S. stocks extend gains on Greek progress
Apple shares up on report of next-generation iPad tablet weeks away
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — U.S. stocks closed higher for a third day Thursday, with technology shares up the most, after Greece said it had an austerity deal and jobless claims fell again last week.

“We’ve made some significant moves in a short period of time,” said Michael Gibbs, director of equity strategy at Morgan Keegan.

Bumping up against recent highs, the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Thursday closed at its highest since May 19, 2008; the S&P 500 Index ended at its loftiest level since July 7, 2011; and the Nasdaq Composite Index ended at its highest close since Dec. 12, 2000.

The rise has come amid “economic news that’s more positive than negative and a growing consensus of less fear about Europe,” added Gibbs.

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