(Reuters) – U.S. stock index futures extended gains on Thursday after a larger-than-expected rise in monthly retail sales pointed to a healthy U.S. consumer.
Retail sales rose 0.4% in September on a monthly basis, compared with an estimate of 0.3%, according to economists polled by Reuters. Retail sales excluding automobiles rose 0.5%, versus the 0.1% forecast.
Separately, data showed the number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits was 241,000 for the week ended Oct. 12, compared with an estimate of 260,000.
At 08:30 a.m., Dow E-minis were up 70 points, or 0.16%, S&P 500 E-minis were up 27.25 points, or 0.46 and Nasdaq 100 E-minis were up 170 points, or 0.84%.
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