US pre-open: Futures point to flat open as coronavirus fears persist
US futures were pointing to a broadly flat open on Thursday as the spread of a new Chinese coronavirus continued to dampen the mood in global capital markets.
As of 1230 GMT, Dow Jones and S&P 500 futures were down 0.11% and 0.02%, respectively, while Nasdaq-100 futures had the index opening 0.12% firmer.
The Dow closed 9.77 points higher on Wednesday following a mixed performance on the Street as corporate releases continued to stream in and with investors' focus still trained firmly on the spread of a deadly virus in China.
With the death toll rising to 17, the World Health Organization was slated to meet later in the day in order to decide whether or not to declare a global health emergency.
Confirmed cases of the virus, which originated in China's Wuhan city, have reached 571 and had also been detected throughout Asia and as far away as the US.
Asian markets tumbled overnight, while Chinese Treasury futures surged amid concerns over the potential economic fallout.
CMC Markets analyst David Madden said: "Traders are a little on the nervous side in light of the news the coronavirus situation is getting worse.
"Traders are cutting their exposure to stocks for fear the health crisis will spread."
In the corporate space, Intel, Comcast, Procter & Gamble, Union Pacific and American Airlines will all report earnings on Thursday.
On the data front, initial jobless claims figures will be published at 1330 GMT.