1. U.S. stocks opened higher on Thursday after McDonald's and eBay reported strong quarterly results and jobless claims data pointed to improvements in the labor market.
The Dow Jones industrial average (DJI) rose 124.36 points, or 0.72 percent, to 17,292.97, the S&P 500 (SPX) gained 13.57 points, or 0.67 percent, to 2,032.51 and the Nasdaq composite (IXIC) added 39.18 points, or 0.81 percent, to 4,879.30.
2. The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits rose less than expected last week, remaining at levels consistent with a fairly healthy labor market.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 259,000 for the week ended Oct. 17, the Labor Department said on Thursday. They remained not too far from levels last seen in late 1973.
It was the 33rd straight week that claims were below the 300,000 threshold, which is normally associated with a firming jobs market.
3. The euro tumbled to three-week lows against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi hinted at the possibility for further easing measures before the end of the year.
EUR/USD hit 1.1160 during U.S. morning trade, the pair's lowest since October 2; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.1171, plummeting 1.57%.
The pair was likely to find support at 1.1132, the low of October 1 and resistance at 1.1351, the session high.
4. U.S. home resales rose more than expected in September to the second highest monthly sales pace since February 2007, suggesting the housing market continues to show strength compared to the rest of the economy.
The National Association of Realtors said on Thursday existing home sales increased 4.7 percent to an annual rate of 5.55 million units.
August's sales pace was revised slightly lower to 5.30 million units from the previously reported 5.31 million units.
5. Oil prices rose above $48 a barrel on Thursday, propelled by technical buying and as investors re-evaluated U.S. data that showed falling stockpiles of fuel as well as higher crude inventories.
Brent for December delivery rose 51 cents to $48.36 a barrel by 0656 ET. The global crude benchmark finished down 86 cents, or 1.8 percent, on Wednesday, after hitting $47.50, its lowest since early October.
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