US pre-open: Futures edge ahead before opening bell

US stock futures were marginally higher ahead of the opening bell on Thursday as Wall Street looked to post a seventh straight positive session.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 0.02%, with the S&P 500 gaining 0.09% and Nasdaq up 0.21%.

Traders were hoping fears the Covid Omicron variant would not be as serious as the Delta outbreak would overshadow the surge in case numbers globally.

With little corporate news to drive the market, investors will be eyeing US Initial Jobless Claims later on Thursday before turning attention to China’s official Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing PMIs for December on Friday morning.