Stocks Opened Higher, Led by Energy Stocks

U.S. stocks opened higher on Thursday in thin holiday tading, with a rise in energy-related companies leading the market up. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lately rose 32.40 points, or 0.13%, to 24,806.70. The S&P 500 gained 0.95 point, or 0.04%, to 2,683.57. The Nasdaq Composite added 7.78 points, or 0.11%, to 6,947.12.

Oil prices rose near two-year highs Thursday after data showed a decline in U.S. crude stocks. February West Texas Intermediate oil rose 4 cents, or 0.1%, at $59.68 a barrel. February Brent rose 1 cent, or less than 0.1%, to $66.45 a barrel.

The number of unemployed workers filing for jobless benefits remained the same from the previous week at 245,000, a low level signaling a healthy job market. The four-week moving average, a less volatile measure, climbed 1,750 to 237,750, the Labor Department said Thursday.