Wall Street opened flat on Thursday after FedEx Corp reported in-line quarterly profits and even as the latest labor and housing data indicated an economic recovery was gaining steam.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 8.46 points, or 0.09 percent, at 9,800.17. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 0.25 points, or 0.02 percent, at 1,069.01. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 1.34 points, or 0.06 percent, at 2,131.81.

Friday will mark the quarterly expiration and settlement of four different types of September equity futures and options contracts -- a convergence known as quadruple witching. The events can lead to greater volume and volatility as players adjust and exercise derivative positions.

(Reporting by Angela Moon, Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

Fedex