* Jobless claims unexpectedly rise, Dec PPI also up
* Marathon Oil rallies on plan to split off operations
* Indexes down: Dow 0.1 pct, S&P 0.1 pct, Nasdaq 0.2 pct
* For up-to-the-minute market news see [STXNEWS/US]
(Updates to open)
By Ryan Vlastelica
NEW YORK, Jan 13 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Thursday as the number of first-time claims for jobless benefits rose unexpectedly, highlighting the bumpy ride for employment as economic growth picks up.
Weekly initial unemployment claims posted their biggest jump in six months, suggesting that despite signs of economic improvement, the labor market still faces headwinds. In a potentially encouraging sign, however, continuing claims retreated sharply to 3.88 million from 4.13 million. For details, see [ID:nN13271305]
"Because continued claims improved, and because we've certainly seen some progress in labor market data generally over recent weeks, there's a bit of willingness to look past the disappointing initial claims number," said Bruce McCain, chief investment strategist at Key Private Bank in Cleveland, Ohio.
Producer prices rose more than expected in December as energy and food costs surged. Underlying inflation remained subdued. [ID:nN12222210]
The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 13.78 points, or 0.12 percent, at 11,741.66. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 1.55 points, or 0.12 percent, at 1,284.41. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 5.76 points, or 0.21 percent, at 2,731.57.
Marathon Oil Corp
Williams-Sonoma Inc
Intel Corp
Spain followed Portugal with a successful debt sale on Thursday, and investors showed growing confidence that governments would agree to new measures to stem the debt crisis. [ID:nLDE70C15C]
(Editing by Padraic Cassidy)