US futures rise head of jobless claims report

US futures rise ahead of weekly jobless claims data; dollar jumps on Japan stimulus plans

NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. stock market futures are trading higher ahead of the Labor Department's weekly report on unemployment applications.

The data to be released at 8:30 a.m. Eastern, is likely to show a decline in those seeking unemployment assistance.

Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 47 points at 14,534. Nasdaq 100 futures added 11 points to 2,798. S&P 500 futures gained 6 to 1,554.50.

The major indexes fell sharply Wednesday following weak reports on hiring and service industries.

In currency trading, the dollar jumped about 2.7 percent against the Japanese yen, after the Bank of Japan announced a massive monetary stimulus plan.

Japanese stocks rallied on the plan. The Nikkei ended 2.2 percent higher. Stocks in Europe were mixed.