(RTTNews) - U.S. stock futures point to a lackluster opening Thursday morning as traders look ahead to economic data related to the labor market, including the Labor Department's monthly non-farm payrolls report to be released on Friday and the weekly jobless claims report, due to be released before the markets open today.

Traders will also focus on same-store sales results from the retail sector amid apprehensions over the strength of the upcoming holiday season sales. Weak trading across world markets may weigh on sentiment.

As of 6.15 am ET, the Dow futures were up 3.00 points, and the S&P futures were up 0.40 points, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 futures were down 2.50 points.

On the economic front, traders will turn their focus towards the weekly jobless claims report for the week ended 31st October slated for release by the Labor Department at 8.30 a.m. ET The Labor Department will also release its preliminary report on non-farm productivity data and unit labor costs for the third quarter. Economists expect that non-farm productivity registered a 6.5% increase during the quarter.

Before the markets open for trading, health care products and services company Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH), non-alcoholic beverages maker Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (DPS), Electric utility company Dynegy Inc. (DYN) and processed and packaged foods company Sara Lee Corp. (SLE) are among a host of companies slated to release their quarterly results.
Specialty coffee retailer Star Bucks Corp. (SBUX) is among the major companies that would release the results after the markets close.

Earlier in the day, Consumer goods giant Unilever Plc (UL) said its third-quarter profit fell 36%, but underlying sales grew 3.4%, as higher volume offset falling prices. The London-based company's net profit attributable to shareholders' equity was 1.05 billion euros or 0.36 euros per share, compared to 1.364 billion euros or 0.57 euros per share last year.

Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) reported an 84.4% fall in profit for the second quarter, reflecting sharp decline in vehicle sales in all regions, as well as the negative impact of the yen's appreciation. Further, the Japanese automaker cut down its fiscal 2010 net loss and operating loss forecast, and lifted revenue view on anticipated higher vehicle sales and demand-stimulating measures by governments worldwide.

After the markets closed for trading in the previous session, Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) reported a decline in its fourth quarter profit, as revenues fell 19%, reflecting poor segmental results. In addition, the company issued financial outlook for its first quarter as well as full year.

 1   2   Next Page