Stock futures pointed to early gains Thursday, ahead of a report on U.S. fourth-quarter domestic growth.

The final reading on Q4 U.S. gross domestic product is expected to be up 0.6%.

First-time claims for state unemployment benefits for the week ending March 22 fell 9,000 to 366,000, the U.S. Labour Department reported today. The four-week average of initial claims gained 1,750 to 358,000.

There are no major economic releases from Statistics Canada today.

The Canadian dollar was off 0.06 of a cent to US98.09¢.

The technology sector could be dragged lower after software giant Oracle reported a slower-than-forecast 21% revenue rise. Its quarterly profit rose 30%.

In today’s M&A news, ConAgra Foods Inc. agreed to sell its profitable commodity trading and merchandising operations to hedge fund Ospraie Management for US$2.13 billion. As well ConAgra posted a 60% jump in fiscal third-quarter net income, largely due to that division.

The company also boosted its fiscal-year earnings outlook.

After the close of financial markets, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission will announce its decision on whether to approve the takeover of BCE Inc. by a group led by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.

Oil futures rose US$1.35 to US$107.25 a barrel, while gold futures slipped US$1.50 to US$947.70 an ounce.

Overseas markets were mixed. The Nikkei 225 closed 0.8% lower in Tokyo, while the FTSE 100 rose 0.8% in London.

Commodities propped up Toronto markets again on Wednesday, as financials were weak and grim economic data out of the U.S. made investors anxious.

The S&P/TSX Composite index closed up 69.64 points, or 0.52%, at 13,391.86.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index closed down 1.99 points, or 0.08%, to close at 2,527.54.

In New York, markets were pushed down by economic data showing losses in durable goods orders, an indicator of business spending.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 109.74 points, or 0.88%, to end at 12,422.86. The S&P 500 shed 11.86 points, or 0.88%, to close at 1,341.13.

As well, the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index lost 16.69 points, or 0.71%, at 2,324.36.