NEW YORK, Oct 1 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened lower on Thursday after applications for jobless benefits rose unexpectedly, overshadowing a rise in August personal spending.
Key manufacturing and housing data are due shortly after the open.
The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 41.34 points, or 0.43 percent, to 9,670.94. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index lost 5.60 points, or 0.53 percent, to 1,051.48. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 14.06 points, or 0.66 percent, to 2,108.36.