Finance Helper

U.S. stocks futures are indicating a lower open Thursday as investors paused for breath ahead of a flood of economic data.

Less than two hours before the start of trading, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 46 points lower at 9607. The S&P 500 futures slipped 5.4 to 1047.5, and Nasdaq 100 futures lost 8.75 to 1708.75. Changes in futures do not always accurately predict early market moves after the opening bell.

U.S. stocks weakened Wednesday on the final day of the third quarter, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average retreating 30 points, the Nasdaq Composite losing 2 points and the S&P 500 slipping 4 points. Weak economic data on jobs and a Chicago-area poll contributed to the bearish tone.

However, the stock market ended near its highs for the year, with many of the riskiest stocks leading the charge.

As the curtain goes up on the fourth quarter Thursday, investors are bracing for a deluge of economic releases. The Labor Department has its weekly jobless claims report and the National Association of Realtors has pending home sales figures. Personal income and the related PCE deflation inflation gauge for August, the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing gauge for September, construction spending for August and car sales data for September are also expected.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will be testifying on financial regulation, and, after the close, two more Fed speakers will discuss the economy.

The technology sector will be in focus amid mergers and acquisitions activity. Cisco Systems reached a deal to buy Norwegian video-conferencing-services firm Tandberg for $3 billion, while Comcast denied a report it was going to buy General Electric’s 80% stake in NBC Universal.

Bank of America will also be in the spotlight after its chief executive, Ken Lewis, said he’d step down at the end of the year. A replacement hasn’t been named.

In the currency markets, the euro was particularly weak after Joaquin Almunia, the European Union’s economics commissioner, said the euro group will discuss the euro’s appreciation ahead of the G7 meeting in Istanbul. German retail sales also disappointed.

The Bank of Japan’s key Tankan survey showed companies planning to cut capital spending, which sent the Nikkei 225 down 1.5%.

Oil futures declined but held above the $70 a barrel.

Source: online.wsj.com.