Closing Glance: Construction shares finish higher

Shares of construction and engineering companies ended higher on Thursday as broader markets edged up following a downturn in oil prices and news that the economy may be in better shape than expected

The Labor Department said applications for unemployment benefits grew last week in line with analyst estimates.

Furthermore, in a speech in Chicago, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said he was "encouraged" by recent efforts by banks to raise cash and ease the credit crisis.

Here is how some shares of construction and engineering companies fared:

Granite Construction Inc., up 79 cents, or 2.2 percent, to $36.33.

Quanta Services Inc., up $1.30, or 4.5 percent, to $29.96.

McDermott International Inc., up $2.64, or 4.7 percent, to $58.54.

Fluor Corp., up $6.17, or 3.3 percent, to $191.64.