Dow Jones gains at the open as jobless claims dip

The Dow and the S&P 500 opened higher on Thursday after data showing fewer weekly jobless claims pointed to an improving outlook for the US economy.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 244.4 points, or 0.71%, at the open to 34,568.03. The S&P 500 rose 10.9 points, or 0.26%, at the open to 4,206.96, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 30.6 points, or 0.22%, to 13,707.10 at the opening bell.