Stocks rose after the open on Thursday after data showed an improvement in the labor market ahead of Friday's key U.S. government monthly payrolls report.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 69.10 points, or 0.55 percent, at 12,695.12. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 11.05 points, or 0.83 percent, at 1,350.27. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 21.62 points, or 0.76 percent, at 2,855.64.

A report by payrolls processor ADP showed U.S. private hiring increased by 157,000 in June, well above the expected 68,000, bouncing back from a surprise slump the month before.

(Reporting by Angela Moon, Editing by Kenneth Barry)