US stock market opens higher

NEW YORK (AA) - The U.S. stock market opened higher Thursday amid positive macroeconomic data.

The Dow Jones added 125 points to begin the day at 18,715 -- its highest level on record.

The S&P 500 increased 11 points to open at 2,174 and the Nasdaq added 32 points to 5,283.

Initial jobless claims in the U.S. fell by 11,000 compared to the previous week, to reach 254,000 for the week ending November 5, according to the Department of Labor earlier Thursday.

The initial jobless claims are under the level of 300,000 for 88 consecutive weeks -- its best performance since 1973, according to the Labor Department.