Stocks jump on upbeat earnings, employment reports

NEW YORK -- Upbeat corporate earnings are giving stocks another burst of energy.

Stocks surged but ended off their highs Thursday as investors jumped on surprisingly strong profit reports and an unexpected drop in unemployment.

Motorola and Goodyear's quarterly results came in far better than analysts' forecasts.

Americans continuing to collect unemployment benefits also fell unexpectedly last week.

The Dow Jones industrial average is up 84 at 9,154. The Standard & Poor's 500 index is up 12 at 987. The Nasdaq composite index is up 17 at 1,984.

Four stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume came to 1.4 billion shares.