U.S. stock index futures held gains Thursday following a pair of positive economic reports and hopes of progress toward a "fiscal cliff" deal in Washington.
The economy grew at a 2.7 percent annual rate, faster pace than initially thought in the third quarter, according to the Commerce Department. However, momentum is likely to slow as the nation braces for deep cuts in government spending and tax increases early next year. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a reading of 2.8 percent.
And weekly jobless claims declined for a second week, falling 23,000 to a seasonally adjusted 393,000, according to the Labor Department. Economists had expected a reading of 390,000, according to a Reuters survey. The Labor Department added there was no pronounced impact of the Hurricane Sandy in last week's data.
Stocks rallied in the previous session, propelled by positive comments from President Barack Obama and Speaker John Boehner on the "fiscal cliff" issue. (Read More: 'Cliff' Talks Send Stocks on Roller Coaster Ride)
Obama said he was hopeful a deal to avert the "fiscal cliff" could be reached before Christmas. The president also highlighted some flexibility regarding taxes for high-income Americans.
Obama invited a group of corporate CEOs including Yahoo's Marissa Mayer, Coca-Cola's Mutar Kent and Goldman's Lloyd Blankfein to the White House to discuss the looming fiscal cliff.
Blankfein described Obama's plan as detailed and "very credible," but warned that marginal income tax rates may have to rise to seal a deal.
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, Obama's lead negotiator in the budget talks, will meet congressional leaders to discuss the issue on Thursday.