Futures steady ahead of more jobs data

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — U.S. stocks were poised to open slightly higher Thursday, ahead of the government’s weekly report on new claims for jobless benefits.

Dow Jones industrial average (INDU), S&P 500 (SPX) and Nasdaq (COMP) futures were slightly higher ahead of the opening bell. Futures measure current index values against perceived future performance.

U.S. stocks ended Wednesday with solid gains, after two upbeat reports on job growth. One report from outplacement consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas said private employers announced fewer planned job cuts in March — even as government layoffs mounted.

A second report, from payroll processor ADP, showed private sector employment rose by 201,000 in March. Investors view the ADP report as a guide for what’s coming in Friday’s government report.

A CNNMoney survey of 18 economists forecast an 180,000 jump in payrolls. They also expect the unemployment rate to hold steady at 8.9%.

So far this week, investors have shrugged off ongoing global concerns in the Middle East, Libya and Japan.

In Europe, shares were mixed as investors await the results of bank stress tests in Ireland. Anglo Irish Bank announced Thursday its biggest loss in Irish history, with its stress test results due within a few hours.

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner is in China for a meeting of G20 finance ministers in Nanjing. In prepared remarks, Geithner said balancing global exchange rages and managing capital controls are among the biggest challenges facing the international monetary system.

Economy: At 8:30 a.m. ET, the government’s weekly jobless claims report is expected to show new claims edged up to 383,000 last week, from 382,000 the previous week.

The Chicago Fed’s purchasing managers’ index for March is due at 9:45 a.m. ET. Additionally, the Commerce Department’s February factor orders report is on tap for 10 a.m. ET.

World markets: European stocks were mixed in morning trading. Britain’s FTSE 100 and the DAX in Germany were little changed, while France’s CAC 40 slipped 0.2%.

Asian markets ended the session mixed. The Shanghai Composite fell 0.9%, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong ticked up 0.3% and Japan’s Nikkei added nearly 0.5%.

Currencies and commodities: The dollar fell against the euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound.

Oil for May delivery gained 93 cents to $105.20 a barrel.

Gold futures for June delivery rose $5.60 to $1,430.50 an ounce.

Bonds: The price on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury edged slightly higher, pushing the yield down to 3.44% from 3.45% late Wednesday.