NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- U.S. stocks posted solid gains on Thursday, as positive earnings in the technology sector offset ongoing concerns related to Japan and spreading unrest in the Middle East.

The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) gained 85 points, or 0.5%, to 12,171; the S&P 500 index (SPX) edged up 12.1 points, or 0.9%, to 1,310; and the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) jumped 38 points, or 1.4%, to 2736.