U.S. stock futures edged higher Thursday, ahead of data on applications for unemployment benefits made last week.
S&P 500 futures ticked up 0.2%. The gauge closed 0.1% lower on Wednesday.
Data on applications for unemployment benefits, due at 8:30 a.m. ET, are expected to show that claims fell for the fourth week in a row, a sign that layoffs are easing following an unwelcome spike in early January.
The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield edged up to 1.138%, from 1.133% on Wednesday. Yields move inversely to prices.
Overseas, the Stoxx Europe 600 gained 0.1%. The U.K.’s FTSE 100, which is dominated by large international businesses, gained 0.2%.
