Major business events and economic events scheduled for Thursday:

WASHINGTON - Labor Department releases weekly jobless claims, 8:30 a.m.

WASHINGTON - Labor Department releases Consumer Price Index for April, 8:30 a.m.

WASHINGTON - Commerce Department releases housing starts for April, 8:30 a.m.

WASHINGTON - Freddie Mac, the mortgage company, releases weekly mortgage rates, 10 a.m.

J.C. Penney Co. reports quarterly financial results.

Nordstrom Inc. reports quarterly financial results.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reports quarterly financial results.