The Dow finished up 0.2%, a modest advance compared with rival large-cap gauges. Winners were led by Apple AAPL, with its 5.1% jump also contributing to gains on the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq composite. The Nasdaq composite scored a 1.2% rise and marked its second-highest close on record. The S&P 500 ended up by 0.7%.

S&P 500 futures are up 0.4%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are adding 0.3%. Nasdaq 100 futures are gaining 0.5%. On Wednesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 81 points, or 0.18%, to 44193,