US stocks close higher for the first time in June

A report that U.S. exports hit a record in April sent stocks sharply higher Thursday as investors hoped the economic recovery may not be as sluggish as the last week of grim economic reports have suggested.

Dow Jones industrial average rose 75.42 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 12,124.36.
Nasdaq composite rose 9.49, or 0.4 percent, to 2,684.87.