US stocks rise as GDP data and Tesla earnings come in better than expected

• Stocks climbed Thursday following the release of better-than-expected fourth quarter GDP data.
• The Commerce Department reported that GDP rose last quarter at a 2.9% annualized pace, above the expected 2.8%.
• Meanwhile, Tesla reported record revenue in its Wednesday earnings report.

US stocks climbed Thursday following the release of better-than-expected economic growth data, as well as a strong fourth-quarter earnings report from Tesla.

The Commerce Department reported that gross domestic product for the fourth quarter rose at a 2.9% annualized pace, above the 2.8% expected from Dow Jones economist.