According to the latest Labor Department data, weekly jobless claims fell to 219,000 compared with expectations of 223,000.

The stock erased early mild losses after the Christmas midweek holiday. Boeing shares have made five-month highs.

Stocks were slightly higher in afternoon trading Thursday as the market looks to add to its gains from earlier in the week.

In response, China has ramped up imports in a bid to stockpile semiconductors before the sanctions take full effect.

Major U.S. indexes were little changed and slightly higher at midday Thursday, looking to add to gains earlier in the week.