U.S. stocks rose at the open on Thursday after data showed a steep pickup in productivity and a decline in applications for jobless insurance.

* Upbeat results from technology bellwether Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO.O) and a rise in retailers' October same-store sales also boosted equities.

* The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI gained 79.05 points, or 0.81 percent, to 9,881.19. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX rose 6.78 points, or 0.65 percent, to 1,053.28. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC jumped 23.95 points, or 1.17 percent, to 2,079.47.

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