US stocks rise after upbeat jobless claims data

WASHINGTON: US stocks opened modestly higher on Thursday as investors weighed improved unemployment claims data ahead of Friday's key monthly jobs report.
Five minutes into trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 42.43 points (0.26 percent) at 16,402.61.
The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite rose 12.03 (0.28 percent) to 4,370.00, while the S&P 500 index, a broad measure of the markets, advanced 5.36 (0.29 percent) to 1,879.17.
US initial jobless claims for the week ending March 1 fell more than expected, by 26,000 to a three-month low of 323,000.
"Another employment update is in the spotlight ahead of tomorrow's nonfarm payrolls number," Wells Fargo Advisors said.
Analysts project the Labor Department's report will show job creation picked up to 163,000 in February after a mere 113,000 in January.
The unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 6.6 percent.