Sep. 2, 2010 (United Press International) -- U.S. markets held onto tentative gains Thursday with reports that first-time jobless claims were relatively flat and work hours increased in the second quarter.
The Labor Department said there were 6,000 fewer initial jobless benefits claims last week.
In a separate report, the department said non-farm productivity slowed 1.8 percent on an annual rate in the second quarter, but work hours rose 3.5 percent in the second quarter. It was the largest quarter-to-quarter jump in hours since the first quarter of 2006, the department said.
By close, the Dow Jones industrial average added 50.63 points, 0.49 percent, to 10,320.10. The Standard & Poor's 500 index added 0.91 percent, 9.81, to 1,090.10. The Nasdaq composite index added 1.06 percent, 23.17, to 2,200.01.
On the New York Stock Exchange, 2,102 stocks advanced and 880 declined on a volume of 5.3 billion shares traded.
The benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell 13/32 to yield 2.62 percent.
The euro rose to $1.2826 from Wednesday's $1.2803. Against the yen, the dollar fell to 84.314 yen from Wednesday's 84.40 yen.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index added 1.52 percent, 135.82, to 9,06284.
In London, the FTSE 100 index added 0.09 percent, 4.63, to 5,371.04.
