U.S. stocks rose at the open on Friday after data showed U.S. employers cut a smaller number of jobs than expected in February, bolstering views the economy was on the brink of creating jobs.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> added 57.14 points, or 0.55 percent, to 10,501.28. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 6.36 points, or 0.57 percent, to 1,129.33. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 11.29 points, or 0.49 percent, to 2,303.60.