Stocks rose at the open on Thursday, putting the S&P 500 on pace for its sixth advance in the last seven sessions as economic data indicated the economy continues to mend.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 5.07 points, or 0.04 percent, to 13,199.17. The S&P 500 Index <.SPX> gained 1.43 points, or 0.10 percent, to 1,395.71. The Nasdaq Composite <.IXIC> added 3.76 points, or 0.12 percent, to 3,044.49.