U.S. stocks continue to advance on more encouraging inflation data

NEW YORK, July 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks extended gains on Thursday after another key inflation report came in lighter than Wall Street expected and bolstered the chances that the Federal Reserve's rate hike cycle is nearing its end.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 47.71 points, or 0.14 percent, to 34,395.14. The S&P 500 added 37.88 points, or 0.85 percent, to 4,510.04. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased 219.61 points, or 1.58 percent, to 14,138.57.