By Victor Reklaitis and Barbara Kollmeyer, MarketWatch Sears, Dollar General, other retailers also in spotlight

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stock futures edged lower Thursday after the prior session's record finish, as investors kept an eye on a European Central Bank news conference, the latest moves in the energy sector and weekly jobless claims that essentially matched expectations.

Futures for the S&P 500 index (SPZ4) edged down 4 points, or 0.2%, to 2,068.60, while those for the Dow industrials (DJZ4) dipped 33 points, or 0.2%, to 17,864. Futures for the Nasdaq-100 index (NDZ4) lost 3.50 points, or 0.1%, to 4,306.50.

Both the S&P 500 (SPX) and the Dow industrials (DJI) bagged record closes on Wednesday, helped by upbeat services sector data and gains by cyclical stocks such as energy.

Looking for a dovish Draghi: The ECB kept key rates unchanged at a meeting that has just wrapped, and investors have turned their attention to a news conference from ECB President Mario Draghi that began just after 8:30 a.m. Eastern. He said central bank is preparing for more easing early next year if necessary, and more easing could be implemented in "a timely manner." But U.S. stock futures dipped into slightly negative territory as he spoke, suggesting he isn't sounding as dovish as some traders expected.

"Draghi needs to be very, very dovish and hint at more ECB action to keep stocks going up. I think he will be dovish, but there will be no hints strong enough to meet investor expectations," said Wouter Sturkenboom, strategist at Russell Investments in London, in emailed comments before the news conference. Check out our live blog of the ECB news conference

Weekly jobless claims fell to 297,000, basically in line with forecasts for 298,000. This figure comes ahead of Friday's monthly jobs report, a big event that gives investors a reason to sit on the sidelines. "Jobs data needs to come in the area of 180,000-230,000 to keep investors happy. Higher is worse than lower," said Sturkenboom. Why economists say 400,000 jobs could be added

Retailers on tap: Ahead of the opening bell, Sears Holding Corp. (SHLD) shares were up after it reported a wider third-quarter net loss on lower revenue. Dollar General Corp.(DG)(DG) missed estimates, and shares dropped 1% in premarket, but the cut-price retailer says it remains committed to a deal to acquire Family Dollar Stores Inc.(FDO).

Barnes & Noble Inc.(BKS) fell in premarket action after its quarterly release, while Kroger Co. (KR) gained ground.(Read more in MarketWatch's Movers & Shakers column http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sears-barnes-noble-dollar-general-earnings-in-focus-2014-12-04.)

Chinese stocks see best day in two years: The dollar(EURUSD) traded around a two-year high against the euro and remained at a seven-year high against the yen. The ruble fell further against the dollar as Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a speech taht Western nations are holding back his country and warned of tough times ahead.

A benchmark for European stocks was also negative, while Asian stocks rallied on the heels of U.S. gains on Wednesday. China's Shanghai Composite soared 4.3%, the biggest rise in two years, as retail investors piled in and banks upgraded prospects for China's economy. Japan's Nikkei 225 index added 0.9%.

Oil prices(CLF5) slipped, and gold(GCG5) was slightly higher.

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