Wall Street closes higher with positive sentiment

NEW YORK (AA) – Wall Street closed in positive territory Thursday, thanks to a positive sentiment among investors who are relieved the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged the previous day.

The Dow Jones was up 98 points to at 18,392 and the S&P 500 gained 14 points to 2,177.

The Nasdaq added 44 points to finish the day at 5,326. The index reached 5,343 during trading hours -- a new record intraday mark.

With no immediate change in the interest rate announced, markets will now focus on speeches Friday by Federal Open Market Committee members, including the presidents of the Fed in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Cleveland.

Cleveland chief Loretta Mester voted this week in favor of a rate hike.