NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Retail stocks opened lower Thursday, led by Limited Brands Inc. and Sears Holdings Corp., against lingering concerns about the pace of economic recovery as jobless claims continued to hover above 500,000 for a 53rd straight week.

A roundup of shares likely to see active trading in Thursday's session.

U.S. stocks open higher Thursday as investors push up technology and health-care shares and digest another encouraging report on the jobless front.

U.S. retailers post better-than-expected October sales, helped by a bout of cold weather that bolstered seasonal merchandise, continued promotions, and easier comparisons against downbeat sales a year earlier.

Retail stocks were on the rise as the sector’s main indicator gained traction following September sales results buoyed by the late Labor Day weekend and some signs of economic improvement.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by AnalystChoice.com (AC).