Stock futures slightly higher, jobless claims on tap

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures were slightly higher on Thursday ahead of highly anticipated data on the labor market.

With many analysts citing unemployment as the biggest hurdle facing the economy, the weekly jobless claims numbers will be examined for signs of any strength in the jobs market. The data will be released at 8:30 a.m. EDT.

Economists polled by Reuters expected initial claims to fall to 490,000 from 500,000 in the prior week, which was a nine-month high. Continuing claims are seen edging slightly higher.

Also due later Thursday are the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank's July Midwest manufacturing report and the Kansas City Fed's August manufacturing report.

Central bankers from around the world will converge later Thursday at the Jackson Hole, Wyoming, mountain retreat to assess the darkening economic outlook.

S&P 500 futures rose 1.9 points and were above fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures was up 12 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures added 2.75 points.

U.S. stocks staged a comeback on Wednesday, breaking a four-day losing streak as key technical support triggered bargain-hunting. That offset weak data showing July durable goods orders rose less than anticipated and new home sales slumped.

Novell Inc is scheduled to report quarterly results after the market closes Thursday. The software company is expected to post a slight decline in quarterly.

Dental equipment maker Patterson Cos Inc is also on tap to report.

On the technology front, Apple Inc is expected to show off a snazzier line of iPods on September 1 as speculation mounts the consumer electronics giant may also unveil a new TV project.

Amazon.com Inc said Wednesday more of its new third-generation Kindles were ordered in the first month of availability than any previous models.

In Europe, shares bounced back from a five-week low as upbeat corporate results boosted investor sentiment. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 <.FTEU3> was up 0.5 percent. The Nikkei index <.N225> closed up 0.7 percent.

(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

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