US stock indexes open little changed a day after setting a record high

U.S. stocks are little changed in early trading a day after the market closed at a record high.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index edged down a point to 2,025 as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time Thursday.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 26 points, or 0.2 percent, to 17,505. The Nasdaq composite fell three points, or 0.1 percent, to 4,617.

Whole Foods Market jumped 9 percent, the most in the S&P 500 index, after reporting earnings late Wednesday that came in well ahead of what investors were expecting.

European stock markets rose sharply and the euro fell after the president of the European Central Bank President said the bank is preparing the groundwork for further stimulus measures "if needed" for the struggling European economy.