U.S. stocks opened little changed on Thursday after data showed first time claims for jobless benefits fell last week.

Other economic data on Thursday showed retail sales rose in November after an October decline.

on Wednesday, the Federal Reserve announced another round of stimulus for the economy, but markets focused on comments from Chairman Ben Bernanke, who reiterated that monetary policy would not be enough to offset going over the fiscal cliff.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI inched up 2.11 points, or 0.02 percent, at 13,247.56. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX edged down 0.56 point, or 0.04 percent, at 1,427.92. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC eased 2.51 points, or 0.08 percent, to 3,011.31.