Washington - US stocks gained Thursday after energy, technology and tourism firms posted smaller-than-expected losses despite the deep, ongoing US recession.

Marriott International Inc, the largest US hotel chain, posted a net loss of 25 million dollars in the first quarter, largely on one- time restructuring costs that signalled the company was on its way back to profits. Marriott shares jumped 12 per cent.

Online auction site eBay posted a 22-per-cent decline in first- quarter profits to 357.1 million dollars, while oil giant ConocoPhillips Inc said profits tumbled 80 per cent to 840 million dollars. Both companies' shares rose as the results beat analysts low expectations in this economic crisis.

The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 70.49 points, or 0.89 per cent, to 7,957.06. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 8.37 points, or 0.99 per cent, to 851.92. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 6.09 points, or 0.37 per cent, to 1,652.21.

The US currency dropped against the euro to 76.12 euro cents from 76.91 euro cents on Wednesday. The dollar rose against the Japanese currency to 98.09 yen from 97.89 yen.