MARKET SNAPSHOT: U.S. Stocks Open Higher; Disney Jumps On Results

By Anora Mahmudova, MarketWatch

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks opened higher as investors welcomed a higher-than-expected drop in weekly jobless claim and upbeat earnings from companies such as Walt Disney Company and L Brands.

The S&P 500 (SPX) opened 9 points, or 0.5% higher at 1,760.50. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) added 80 points, or 0.5% to 15,524 at the open. The Nasdaq Composite (RIXF) began the day 28 points, or 0.7% higher at 4,039.35.

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Helping the sentiment was the data on initial weekly jobless claims. The number of people who applied for unemployment benefits for the first time fell by 20,000 to 331,000 last week, better than forecasts for 337,000. In other economic news, the U.S. trade deficit widened more than expected, and productivity increased slightly less than anticipated.

The data come a day after a disappointing report on private-sector jobs growth from ADP and a day ahead of key nonfarm-payroll figures.

Across the Atlantic, the ECB left key rates unchanged, and the central bank's president, Mario Draghi, said at the news conference that medium- and long-term inflation expectations remain well-anchored, with no real deflation risk. Follow our live blog of Draghi's news conference

The Bank of England, meanwhile, left policy unchanged and its quantitative easing program steady.

Earnings results released after the market close on Wednesday and before the opening bell today were mixed.

Twitter Inc. (TWTR)plunged after earnings disappointed investors late Wednesday.

Shares of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters(GMCR) surged after the company announced a 10-year deal late Wednesday with Coca-Cola (KO) over an at-home cold-drink system.

Shares of GM (GM.XX) fell after fourth-quarter profit missed expectations.

Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) shares rose after the retailer reported a rise in same-store sales.

Akamai Technologies Inc. (AKAM) shares soared after fourth-quarter earnings increased 18% and revenue jumped in results released late Wednesday.

Teradata Corp(TDC) shares jumped after quarterly results were better than expected.

In other markets, Asian stocks had a mixed day, while the dollar slipped. Gold and natural gas climbed ahead of supply data.

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