7 Stocks you need to know for Thursday

The Dow added 47.55. The Nasdaq Composite gained 29.05. And the S&P 500 closed up 9.61.

Here are 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Thursday.

The acquisition of Centex Corporation (CTX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) by Pulte Homes (PHM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) for $1.3 billion in stock suggests a major bet by Pulte on the likelihood of a housing market that has stabilized. The combined company will be the largest home builder in the United States.

Reporting quarterly earnings Thursday morning before the market opens is Jos.A. Bank Clothiers (JOSB | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating). Analysts are expecting EPS of 1.51.

Earnings per share of 93 cents are what analysts are expecting from Chevron Corporation (CVX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) when it reports quarterly earnings after the bell on Thursday.

Bed Bath and Beyond (BBBY | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) soared by more than 20% on Wednesday after surprising analysts with fourth quarter profits that were not as bad as feared.

JP Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) upgraded shares of Goodyear Tire and Rubber (GT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) to "overweight" from "neutral," citing the potential for stabilization in the auto industry over the next few months.