NEW YORK (AP) ? U.S. stock futures are up slightly after a weekly report on new unemployment claims showed the number of people seeking unemployment aid fell last week.
Dow Jones industrial futures are up 10 points to 12,663. The broader S&P 500 futures are up 1 to 1,321. The Nasdaq composite is up 3 points at 2,450.
Weekly unemployment applications fell 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 367,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. It’s a sign that companies are cutting fewer jobs and likely stepping up hiring.
A mixed bag of January retail sales figures likely helped to keep gains muted. Costco Wholesale Corp. and Target Corp topped expectations, but Macy’s and Dillard’s were among stores falling short.