--Stocks were mixed as better-than-expected jobless claims offset mixed corporate earnings --Europe markets edge higher; Stoxx Europe 600 on pace for third-straight rise --Facebook files for IPO; A&F, Ann slump on outlooks; Merck's sales miss --Weekly jobless claims decreased by 12,000 to 367,000 last week, slightly better than the expected 370,000 By Chris Dieterich OF DOW JONES NEWSWIRES NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--U.S. stocks were mixed after a better-than-expected reading on weekly jobless claims, buoying investor sentiment one day before a key monthly employment report. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was off 6 points at 12710. On Wednesday, the Dow rose 84 points, or 0.7%, to post the first gain in five sessions. The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index futures rose 0.5 point to 1324 and the Nasdaq Composite edged up 7 points, or 0.2%, to 22855. Stock futures edged into positive territory before the open after initial unemployment claims decreased by 12,000 to 367,000 last week, slightly better than expectations. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires expected jobless claims to decline to 370,000 from last week's 377,000. "It's all about the trend. Before the end of the season, we be could be down close to the 350,000, which is kind of a magic level that tells you that we really are in a healthier labor market," said Michael Shaoul, chief executive at brokerage firm Oscar Gruss. Investors will be watching for Friday's release of nonfarm payrolls and unemployment rate. Meanwhile, data showed U.S. workers' productivity rose at a slower pace in the final three months of 2011 while labor costs edged higher. Nonfarm business productivity rose at a 0.7% annual rate in October through December, in line with economists' forecasts. Unit labor costs rose by 1.2%, higher than the expected 0.8% rise. European markets inched higher. The Stoxx Europe 600 rose 0.3%, on track for a third-straight gain. Talks between Greece and its private creditors over a debt restructuring continue. Meanwhile, Spain raised slightly more than its planned amount of cash in a government bond sale and at lower borrowing costs than at previous auctions. In deal news, Xstrata and Glencore International are in talks for a merger that would create the world's third-largest mining company and dramatically alter the industry's landscape. Asian bourses were broadly higher, on the back of U.S. gains on Wednesday; China's Shanghai Composite surged 2% and Japan's Nikkei Stock Average gained 0.8%. Gold futures slipped 0.1% to $1,750.30 an ounce, while crude oil futures lost 1% to $96.61 a barrel. The U.S. dollar rose against the euro, but lost ground against the yen. In corporate news, Facebook filed for an initial public offering that could value the company at between $75 billion and $100 billion. The social network company is seeking to raise as much $10 billion when it sells its shares to the public in the spring, according to people familiar with the matter. Elsewhere, Merck reported fourth-quarter earnings that topped estimates but revenue that fell a bit shy. The blue-chip drug maker's shares fell 0.6%. Dow Chemical slumped 1.8% after the company reported fourth-quarter earnings that missed estimates, citing deterioration in the macro environment. The chemical company also said it didn't expect material improvements in market conditions in the current quarter. Shares of Abercrombie & Fitch dropped 12% after the apparel retailer indicated that fiscal fourth-quarter earnings would fall well short of expectations, as lower-than-expected sales and higher markdowns results in gross margin erosion of approximately 7.5 percentage points. Fellow retailer Ann slid 5.7% after the company said fiscal fourth-quarter results would be below expectations, citing a "significantly higher-than-anticipated" promotional environment in its Ann Taylor stores. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters shot up 24% after the company reported fiscal first-quarter earnings and revenue that were well above forecasts, citing strong demand for its Keurig Single Cup Brewing system. Qualcomm rallied 3.8% after the semiconductor company's fiscal first-quarter earnings and revenue exceeded expectations, and its full-year outlook was above current projections. Viacom slid 2.9% after the media company's fiscal first-quarter earnings were slightly above estimates, but revenue growth came in a bit shy on weak advertising sales. Kohl's raised its fiscal fourth-quarter guidance as it reported better than expected January same-store sales, sending shares up 2.8%. Kellogg's fourth-quarter earnings rose 23% as the cereal maker posted stronger-than-expected sales growth driven largely by higher prices. Shares gained 2.3%. -Chris Dieterich, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2611; christopher.dieterich@dowjones.com

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