New York, Aug 28 (DPA) US stocks gained Thursday after economic output figures signalled that the country's recession could be nearing an end.

The US economy shrank an annualized 1 percent in the April-June period. The Commerce Department's second estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) was better than most economists had expected and compares with a massive 6.4-percent contraction in the first three months of the year.

A rise in oil prices helped propel energy companies. Crude oil rose 1.44 percent to $72.68 per barrel in New York trading.

Planemaker Boeing Co jumped more than 8 percent after saying its much-delayed 787 Dreamliner aircraft would make its first flight this year.