U.S. stock index futuresremained lower Thursday following a tepid jobless claims report and as investors remained cautious a day before the annual meeting of central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Investors will listen carefully to Chairman Ben Bernanke’s speech on Friday at the annual symposium for hints of further monetary easing.
Jobless claims was unchanged last week, holding at a seasonally adjusted 374,000, according to the Labor Department. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims dipping to 370,000 last week. The four-week moving average for new claims rose 1,500 to 370,250.
Consumer spending gained 0.4 percent in July, climbing by the most in five months, according to the Commerce Department. Meanwhile, income increased 0.3 percent.
Costco and Limited Brands edged higher after both retailers topped same-store sales expectationsin August.
Among earnings, Pandora surged after the Internet radio company posted earnings that topped expectations and boosted its current-quarter revenue outlook.
