U.S. stocks opened higher on Thursday after an unexpected drop in weekly jobless claims, suggesting improving labor market conditions.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 61.29 points, or 0.46 percent, at 13,406.26. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 8.44 points, or 0.59 percent, at 1,441.00. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 23.22 points, or 0.76 percent, at 3,075.00.

(Reporting by Ryan Vlastelica; Editing by Kenneth Barry)