NEW YORK (REUTERS) - United States (US) stocks ended up on Thursday, with the S&P 500 snapping a five-day losing streak, on positive data about the labour market.

However, further gains were limited as investors worried the clock was ticking for Washington lawmakers to reach deals that would avoid a government shutdown and a possible US debt default.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 55.10 points, or 0.36 per cent, at 15,328.36. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 5.88 points, or 0.35 per cent, at 1,698.65. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 26.33 points, or 0.70 per cent, at 3,787.43.