U.S. markets mixed on Thursday morning

NEW YORK, May 15 (UPI) -- U.S. stock indexes were mixed in midmorning trading Thursday after the U.S. government said jobless claims had increased on the week.

The U.S. Labor Department said initial unemployment claims grew by 6,000 in the week ending May 10, indicating continued problems in the economy's bottom line.

After posting gains Wednesday, the Dow Jones industrial average slipped 0.04 percent Thursday morning, down 5.13 points to 12,893.25. The Standard and Poor's 500 index rose 0.09 percent -- 1.22 points -- to 1,409.88. The Nasdaq composite index rose 0.23 percent. 5.77 points, to 2,502.47.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury note gained 5/32 to yield 3.902 percent.

The dollar fell. The euro traded at $1.5488 from Wednesday's $1.5461 and the dollar traded at 104.66 yen from Tuesday's 105.10 yen.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei index rose 0.94 percent or 133.19 points to 14,251.74.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International