US stock-index futures climbed on Thursday after a governement report showed that initial claims dropped by 10,000 to 382,000.
At 8:56 am ET, the S&P 500 futures rose 1.10 points to 1,330. The Dow Jones Industrial average futures advanced 20 points to 12,377. The Nasdaq Composite futures climbed 4.50 points to 2,330.
A release by Department of Labor on Thursday showed number of Americans filing first- time claims for unemployment benefits fell 10,000 to 382,000 in the week ending March 26. Economists expected jobless claims to drop to 385,000. The four-week average of seasonally adjusted initial jobless claims, a less volatile gauge, decreased 5,750 to 389,500. Continuing claims for the week ending March 19 fell 9,000 to 3.72 million.
Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) said Thursday that its March sales at stores open at least one year declined 10%. Analysts, on average, had expected same-store sales to fall 7%.
Limited Brands Inc. (NYSE: LTD) reported Thursday that its same-store sales grew 14% in March. Analysts, on average had expected same-store sales to grow 1.5%.
BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. (NYSE: BJ) said Thursday that its same store sales increased 5.3% in March. Analysts, on average, had expected same-store sales to rise 2.8%
Macy's Inc. (NYSE: M) reported Thursday that its sales at stores open at least one year climbed 0.9% in March. Analysts, on average, had expected same-store sales to dropped 2%.
Meanwhile, the European Central Bank, which sets monetary policy for the 17-nation euro zone, raised its refi rate to 1.25% from 1%.
European stocks were mixed in afternoon trade. At 13:08 pm London Time, the UK FTSE fell 8.09 points, or 0.13%, to 6,033.04. The German DAX slipped 0.05% while French CAC increased 0.14%.
Asian stocks finished little changed. The Nikkei 225 rose 6.56 points, or 0.07%, to 9,590.93. The Hang Seng index of Hong Kong fell 3.25 points, or 0.75%, to 24,281.80.
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