U.S. stocks rose at the open on Thursday, lifted by better-than-expected February retail sales and a drop in initial and continuing weekly jobless claims.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> added 27.13 points, or 0.26 percent, to 10,423.89. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 2.36 points, or 0.21 percent, to 1,121.15. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 2.99 points, or 0.13 percent, to 2,283.67.

Retail sales Retail