U.S. stocks climbed on Thursday as retail sales data lifted the outlook for consumer spending and as healthcare shares gained, according to Reuters. U.S. retail sales increased 1.2 percent in May, more than expected, as households boosted purchases of automobiles and a range of other goods even as they paid a bit more for gasoline. The S&P retail index was up 0.2 percent. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 38.97 points, or 0.22 percent, to 18,039.37. The S&P 500 gained 3.66 points, or 0.17 percent, to 2,108.86. The Nasdaq Composite added 5.82 points, or 0.11 percent, to 5,082.51.
