U.S. stocks closed more than 1 percent higher Thursday as investors cheered further declines in the U.S. dollar and calmer bond markets, amid mixed economic data. The Standard & Poor's 500 set a new closing record, and the Dow industrials and Nasdaq composite came within 50 points of their record highs. Technology stocks led the rally. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 191.75, or 1.1 percent, to 18,252.24. The broader S&P 500 rose 22.61, or 1.1 percent, to 2,121.10. The Nasdaq rose 69.10, or 1.4 percent, to 5,050.80. The U.S. dollar recovered slightly but held near recent lows. Benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 62 cents to $59.88 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Gold futures rose $7 to $1,225.20 an ounce.