NEW YORK - US stocks opened mixed Thursday after disappointing government economic data on jobs and inflation, with investors keeping an eye on Europe's expanding debt crisis.

About five minutes into trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 17.78 points, or 0.14 per cent, to 12,514.16.

The S&P 500-stock index advanced 1.45 (0.11 per cent) to 1,316.33, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 3.73 (0.13 per cent) to 2,814.88.

"Continued eurozone debt crisis uneasiness is being met with some disappointing US economic data," Charles Schwab & Co. analysts said.

Weekly initial jobless claims rose more than expected and consumer prices fell in May for the first time in two years, driven by falling gasoline prices, but core inflation rose 0.2 per cent for the third straight month.

On Wednesday, weak May retail sales data hit investor sentiment. The Dow dropped 0.6 per cent, the S&P 500 0.7 per cent and the Nasdaq 0.9 per cent.