Corp results prop US markets

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 9.37 points 0.08 per cent to 11,134.29 points in early trading.

The tech-rich Nasdaq composite earned 14.46 points 0.58 per cent to 2,519.07 and the broad-market Standard amp; Poor8217;s 500 index was up 2.74 points 0.23 per cent at 1,200.67.

Worries about US unemployment claims and the Greek debt crisis both weighed on the market in early trading.

8220;The equity markets managed to push higher late in the day,following a steep morning selloff due to increased fears out of Greece,8221; analysts at Charles Schwab told clients.

The Labour Department yesterday reported new claims for unemployment insurance benefits fell last week after a fortnight of increases.

Initial jobless claims totalled a seasonally adjusted 456,000,the agency reported.

That was five percent less than the previous week,when insurance benefits unexpectedly rose to a revised figure of 480,000,largely due to Easter holiday-related factors.

8220;The actual level of claims is still quite high,and although the trend in claims could support the notion that the labour market has stabilised,it does not support the notion that there has been a strong pickup in hiring activity,8221; said Patrick O8217;Hare at Briefing.com.