Stocks rise on signs of improvement in domestic economy; initial jobless claims fall

Stocks rise in early trading on signs of growth

NEW YORK — Signs of domestic growth are sending stocks higher.

Major indexes are up but off their best levels of the day Thursday after new data showed that the service sector continues to expand and that factory orders rose in April.

However, both reports, like other data on jobs and productivity earlier in the day, fell just short of economists’ expectations.

The Institute for Supply Management’s service sector index was 55.4 last month, just below the 55.5 economists predicted. The Commerce Department says factory orders rose 1.2 percent in April, below the 1.8 percent forecast.

The Dow Jones industrial average is up 36.73, or 0.4 percent, at 10,286.27. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index is up 4.58, or 0.4 percent, at 1,102.96, while the Nasdaq composite index is up 12.02, or 0.5 percent, at 2,293.09.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose in early trading Thursday following fresh signs the domestic economy is improving.

New data showed initial claims for jobless benefits dipped last week, while private-sector employers added workers last month. A third report said productivity rose in the first quarter, though gains were revised lower from a previous estimate.

Retailers reported mixed sales for May. However, a report due out later in the day is expected to show the service sector grew for the fifth straight month.

Investors are trying to build on a late-day rally that sent the Dow Jones industrial average up 225 points Wednesday. It was the second straight day traders made big moves in the waning moments of trading. On Tuesday there was a steep sell-off just before the close.

Overseas markets climbed following Wall Street’s lead in the previous session.

In early morning trading Thursday, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 38.39, or 0.4 percent, to 10,286.57. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 3.57, or 0.3 percent, to 1,101.95, while the Nasdaq composite index rose 9.47, or 0.4 percent, to 2,290.54.

Fewer workers were laid off last week. Initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 453,000. That is just shy of the 450,000 forecast by economists polled by Thomson Reuters. The latest claims level was, however, bigger than some other forecasts.

It was the second straight weekly decline in claims. But claims still remain above the level that economists say would indicate sustained jobs growth. High unemployment remains a key obstacle for a strong recovery. Upcoming jobs reports are expected to show some continued improvement.

Payroll company ADP said private employers added 55,000 jobs in May. That’s just shy of the 60,000 forecast by economists.

However, ADP revised its April data, saying employers actually added 65,000 jobs during that month. That’s more than double the previous estimate that 32,000 jobs were created. The big revision has helped to stem any disappointment over the worse-than-expected May figures.

The ADP report comes a day ahead of the Labor Department’s key jobs data. ADP data is often considered a barometer for the strength of the government’s report. However, Friday’s jobs report provides a broader picture because it also includes public sector employment.

Economists forecast 513,000 jobs were added in May, compared with 290,000 added a month earlier. It would be the biggest jump in 26 years, but as many as 300,000 of the workers hired in May are expected to be temporary positions to help conduct the U.S. census.

Hiring has not picked up on a sustained basis, in part, because companies are finding ways to become more efficient. Productivity grew at an annual pace of 2.8 percent during the first quarter. That’s below the previous estimate of 3.6 percent, but still indicates companies’ output is growing for every hour worked.

Productivity jumped 3.7 percent during 2009, which was the fastest growth in seven years.

Analysts say that eventually employers can no longer wring out more productivity from current staff and have to start hiring new workers. That was seen in the ADP report and insight into whether there is likely to be more hiring in the coming months could from a key report about the service sector.

The Institute for Supply Management’s service sector index likely crept higher to 55.5 in May from 55.4 a month earlier, according to economists polled by Thomson Reuters. It would mark the fifth consecutive monthly gain.

Any reading above 50 indicates growth.

The report is considered a key gauge for the health of the jobs market because the service sector accounts for 80 percent of all workers outside of farmers.

A recovery in the service sector has been a bit slower than manufacturing, so continued signs of improvement should provide investors with confidence that the economy is strengthening.