Wall Street opens higher after upbeat labor data

US stock indices opened the last session of the week higher after a spate of data from the US, which showed the unemployment rate steadied at 4.1% as expected in November, matching the October reading and holding at the lowest rate since December 2000.

US average hourly earnings rose 0.2% in November, missing expectations of a 0.3% rise, while improving from October's 0.1% dip, revised from no-change. 

Finally, the US economy added 228 thousand new jobs in November, beating expectations of 198 thousand, and compared to October's 244K, revised from 261K. 

The Federal Reserve will hold a much anticipated policy meeting on December 12-13, expected to raise interest rates in it after holding them steady in the November meeting between 1.0% and 1.25%. 

The University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment survey fell to 96.8 in December from 98.5 in November, revised from 97.8, while analysts expected 99.0. 

As of 04:53 GMT, Standard and Poor's 500 rose 0.39%, or 10.34 points to 2,647.32, while Dow Jones climbed 0.23%, or 56.44 points to 23,267.92. 

Tech-heavy NASDAQ advanced 0.68%, or 46.22 points to 6,859.06.