U.S. stock futures indicate a positive open for Thursday, despite a government report the showed the U.S. economy was a little softer last spring than earlier estimated.

Gross domestic product rose at a still-robust 3.8% annual rate April through June, the U.S. Commerce Department reported. But the new estimate for second-quarter GDP reflected a revision down from a previously reported 4% increase.

The revision was in line with Wall Street expectations.

Meanwhile, the number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits tumbled sharply last week to a four-month low.

Jobless claims fell 15,000 to 298,000 on a seasonally-adjusted basis in the week ended Sept. 22, the lowest level since May 12, the U.S. Labor Department said Thursday. That’s the third decline in four weeks.

Investors will also be looking for data on U.S. new home sales. Economists are expecting August new-home sales to have dropped to 825,000, down from 870,000 in the previous month.

There are no major economic releases from Statistics Canada today.

The Canadian dollar opened at US99.93¢, up 0.35 of a cent.

In M&A news, Australian investment firm Macquarie Group is expanding in Canada after announcing Wednesday it will buy Orion Financial Inc. in a deal valued at $147 million in cash and shares.

In earnings news, U.S. retailer Bed Bath & Beyond bested profit forecasts and unveiled a US$1 billion stock-buyback program.

Crude-oil prices rose 67¢ to US$80.98 a barrel, a day after weekly U.S. Department of Energy inventory data showed a buildup in stockpiles of oil, gas and distillates.

European shares were higher across the board, with the French CAC 40 index adding 0.5%.

Overnight, shares rallied strongly in Hong Kong and Tokyo.

The Toronto stock market climbed for a fourth straight day on Wednesday, boosted by rising financial issues.

The S&P/TSX composite index advanced 37.35 points, or 0.27%, to 14,034.97.

Shares in CI Financial Income Fund fell 30¢ to $26.50 after it dropped its stipulation that two Scotiabank deals be dropped before its $2.4 billion takeover offer for money manager DundeeWealth Inc. can go ahead.

Dundee Wealth shares were up $1.32 or 7.77%, to $18.30.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index gained 0.44 of a point to end at 2,801.83.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 99.50 points, or 0.72%, to end at 13,878.15. The S&P 500 climbed 8.21 points, or 0.54%, to 1,525.42. The Nasdaq composite index rose 15.58 points, or 0.58%, to close at 2,699.03.