Futures rise ahead of data on jobs and economy

[August 29, 2013]  NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. stock futures are moving higher before the arrival of a pair of economic reports that are expected to reveal U.S. economic growth and an improving employment landscape.

The uncertainty that has rattled markets for days also eased Thursday as allies of Syrian President Bashar Assad moved to block a rapid military strike in response to evidence of a chemical weapons attack.

Dow Jones industrial futures are up 24 points to 14,830. S&P futures have added 2.8 points to 1,635. Nasdaq futures are up 10 points to 3,078.25.

Economists expect the U.S. Commerce Department will revise second-quarter growth upward by to a 2.3 percent annual rate, based on stronger-than-expected trade data.

And most are expecting weekly jobs numbers to show the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits remained near five-year lows.

[Associated Press]

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