NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened higher on Thursday after a report showing weekly jobless claims fell unexpectedly added to data suggesting the U.S. economy was avoiding a recession. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 31.10 points, or 0.25 percent, at 12,421.58. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 1.55 points, or 0.11 percent, at 1,378.75. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 6.35 points, or 0.25 percent, at 2,509.49. | 
