Stocks rose at the open on Thursday, a day after suffering their biggest losses in nearly a year, as data showed a fall in weekly jobless claims, although short of expectations.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 3.48 points, or 0.03 percent, to 12,293.62. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> added 1.20 points, or 0.09 percent, to 1,315.75. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> put on 4.62 points, or 0.17 percent, to 2,773.81.