*Wedbush adds to best ideas list; raises target price to $82 from $80. Reuters Station users, click. 1568. Reuters Station users, click. 4899.
*Dow hits third straight intraday record high. NEW YORK, March 7- U.S. stocks closed modestly higher on Thursday, with the Dow ending at a record for a third straight day as jobless claims data pointed to a pick-up in the labor market's recovery a day before the closely watched payrolls report.
*Gap shares surge after Feb sales, Zumiez falls. NEW YORK, March 7- U.S. stocks rose modestly on Thursday, with the Dow hitting its third straight intraday record as jobless claims data pointed to a pick-up in the labor market's recovery a day before the closely watched payrolls report.
*Dow up 0.3 pct, S&P 500 up 0.1 pct, Nasdaq up 0.1 pct. NEW YORK, March 7- U.S. stocks advanced on Thursday, pushing the Dow to an intraday record for a third session, as jobless claims data pointed to a pick-up in the labor market's recovery and investors looked for opportunities to buy into the recent rally. Shares of Dow component Bank of America rose 2.3 percent to $12.19.
U.S. stock index futures were higher Wednesday, with the Dow poised to extend its gains a day after hitting an all-time high, following a better-than-expected private sector employment report.