U.S. stocks open mixed amid earnings, data

U.S. stocks opened mixed Thursday as investors digested big company quarterly earnings and economic reports.

Shares of Facebook, Inc. surged nearly 4 percent in early Thursday trading after the U.S. tech giant delivered better-than-expected quarterly results.

Shares of Ford Motor Co. plummeted about 9 percent in early Thursday trading following the release of the U.S. carmaker's disappointing quarterly earnings.

On the economic front, in the week ending July 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 266,000, an increase of 14,000 from the previous week's revised level, the U.S. Labor Department announced Thursday.

The 4-week moving average was 256,500, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average.

Meanwhile, the U.S. international trade deficit was 63.3 billion U.S. dollars in June, up 2.2 billion dollars from 61.1 billion dollars in May, the Commerce Department announced Thursday.

Shortly after the opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 24.82 points, or 0.13 percent, to 18,447.35. The S&P 500 edged down 0.67 point, or 0.03 percent, to 2,165.91. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 7.83 points, or 0.15 percent, to 5,147.64.

On Wednesday, U.S. stocks closed mixed as Wall Street digested the U.S. central bank's statement released after the conclusion of a two-day policy meeting. Endi