US stocks edge higher in early trading

US stock indices opened slightly higher on Thursday, amid cautious anticipation of updates about the coronavirus crisis, and after the release of upbeat economic data.

The World Health Organization stated that it is reviewing Pfizer's request to allow emergency use of its Covid-19 vaccine.

Moderna and Pfizer are expected to start distributing their vaccines in mid-December, with production rate of around 20 million doses of each vaccine.

The US Labor Department showed that initial unemployment claims reached 712,000 from 787,000, better than forecasts of 775,000.

As for stocks, Dow Jones rose 0.2% or 50 points to 29,932 as of 14:56 GMT, Nasdaq rose 0.3% or 37 points to 12,387, and S&P 500 rose 0.1% or 2 points to 3,671.