NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks opened lower Thursday after the government said the number of people seeking unemployment claims rose last week, evidence of an uneven recovery in the job market.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 74 points to 13,099 just after 10 a.m. EDT and was headed for its fourth consecutive decline. The Standard & Poor's 500, which earlier this week hit its highest point in four years, was down seven to 1,407.

The price of gold climbed for a second straight day after the Federal Reserve hinted that it may step in soon with additional help for the economy unless the recovery picks up dramatically.

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