US stocks open higher on hopes for jobs, more stimulus; Unemployment applications fell

U.S. stocks are opening higher following good news on jobs and more hopes of stimulus in Europe.

The price of oil was stabilizing Thursday following a prolonged slump that had worried investors of slowing global growth.

The early gain was only the second upturn this week following a grim start to the year.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 189 points, or 1 percent, to 17,769 as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time. The Dow rose 212 points the day before.

The Standard & Poor's 500 increased 19 points, also 1 percent, to 2,045. The Nasdaq composite rose 43 points, or 1 percent, to 4,693.

The government reported that fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.01 percent.