The US stock market opened flat, with economic data showing stable performance.

The US stock market opened flat on Thursday. Earlier reports showed that US retail sales were better than expected, and the number of first-time jobless claims decreased, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve will temporarily maintain its policy. The US dollar strengthened. By 9:30 am New York time, the S&P 500 index was flat, the Nasdaq 100 index was up 0.1%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.1%. The currency market currently expects the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates less than twice before the end of the year, a smaller cut than the three cuts predicted earlier this month. "Strong retail sales data show that consumers are continuing to spend, driving sustained economic growth," said Chris Zaccarelli of Northlight Asset Management. "While discussions about tariffs and the stock market returning to historical highs are heated, there is relatively little discussion about the economy being at full employment and consumers continuing to spend." Despite high valuations, Zaccarelli pointed out that as long as the economy continues to expand and the unemployment rate remains low, consumers will continue to spend, driving sustained profit growth, which is the engine driving stock prices higher.