By STAN CHOE and DAMIAN J. TROISE NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are ticking higher Thursday, despite a dismal report on the number of layoffs sweeping the country, as investors continue to balance their hopes for a better economy ahead against its current pain. The S&P 500 was 0.2% higher in afternoon trading, the latest listless movements in its lull since setting a record last week. The Dow Jones Industrial