(REUTERS) -- Stocks edged up at the open on Thursday after futures pared gains following an unexpected rise in initial jobless claims in the latest week.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> added 15.74 points, or 0.12 percent, at 12,821.13. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 1.53 points, or 0.11 percent, at 1,370.24. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 7.38 points, or 0.24 percent, at 3,023.84.

(Reporting By Chuck Mikolajczak; Editing by Theodore d'Afflisio)

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