Wall Street opens higher on data, ECB comments

Wall Street opened higher on Thursday as data pointed to a strengthening U.S. economy and the European Central Bank indicated it could prolong its stimulus program. The ECB also cut its inflation and growth forecasts for the euro zone in the wake of lower oil prices, weaker growth in China and a strengthening euro. Investors, however, were cautious ahead of the critical monthly U.S. jobs report on Friday, which may feed into the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision.