Jobs data pushes US stocks higher, helped by telcos and materials sector TELECOMMUNICATIONS and materials stocks drove the Standard and Poor's 500-stock index to a fifth advance in a row after a string of firm earnings reports and an upbeat reading from the labour market. The S&P 500 added 6.27 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 1585.16, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 24.50 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 14,700.80 for its fourth gain in five sessions. The Nasdaq Composite Index gained 20.33 points, or 0.86, to 3289.99.