By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch

ECB's Draghi speaks before the market open

U.S. stock futures were comfortably in positive territory Thursday ahead of U.S. jobless claims data, as well as a news conference from the European Central Bank.

The early move follows an upbeat session in Asia, where the volatile Chinese markets are closed for two days.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 70 points, or 0.4%, to 16,400, while those for the S&P 500 index added 8.15 points, or 0.4%, to 1,955.25. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index gained 16.25 points, or 0.4%, to 4,276.25.

The indicated advances come after all three benchmarks closed Wednesday firmly higher (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dow-futures-jump-almost-100-points-as-us-stocks-look-set-for-rebound-2015-09-02), after the Federal Reserve's Beige Book painted a more optimistic economic picture (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid) of the U.S. economy than analysts had feared. The report soothed worries about the possible impact of the slowdown in China, which has taken a toll on markets in recent weeks.

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said in a CNBC interview aired Thursday morning that he is keeping a "careful eye on market volatility" (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/treasurys-lew-stress-in-financial-markets-no-cause-for-immediate-concern-2015-09-03-6912647) and looking at any related risk to the U.S. economy.

Read: As investors flee China, they should consider India (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/as-investors-flee-china-they-should-consider-india-2015-09-02)

On Thursday, stock markets in the world's second-largest economy were closed for China's World War II victory day parade (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-to-close-stock-market-to-honor-world-war-ii-anniversary-2015-09-01), providing "much desired respite from the economy and market that has been at the heart of the elevated global volatility of late," said analysts at Accendo Markets in a note.

"Hopes [are] also rising that ECB President Draghi may signal QE extension," they added.

The ECB kept interest rates unchanged as expected at its policy-setting meeting, with attention now turning to Mario Draghi's news conference at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. With a weaker inflation outlook and a stronger euro, speculation has risen that the central-bank boss will indicate the ECB is ready to pull the trigger on more easing measures if necessary.

Read: 5 things to watch at Thursday's ECB meeting (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/5-things-to-watch-at-thursdays-ecb-meeting-2015-09-02)

U.S. data: Weekly jobless claims are also due at 8:30 a.m. Eastern and are forecast to have risen to 275,000 last week, from 271,000 the week before, according to economists polled by MarketWatch.

At the same time, the trade deficit for July is due. It's expected to have shrunk to $41.8 billion from $43.8 billion in June (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-trade-gap-with-europe-soars-to-record-amid-greek-crisis-2015-08-05).

The ISM nonmanufacturing -- or services -- reading is slated for 10 a.m. Eastern and is predicted to come in at 58% in August, down from 60.3% in July (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ism-services-index-surges-to-10-year-high-in-july-2015-08-05).

Investors and analysts are tracking data out of the U.S., trying to gauge whether the indicators weaken or strengthen the case for raising interest rates this month. The highlight this week is Friday's closely watched nonfarm-payrolls report, one of the key measures the Fed is watching as it considers a rate increase.

Movers and shakers: Ahead of the market open, Campbell Soup Co.(CPB) reported fiscal fourth-quarter profit that beat analyst expectations (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/campbell-soup-beats-profit-expectations-matches-on-sales-2015-09-03).

Geron Corp.(GERN) surged 22% premarket after the biotech company late Wednesday said the New England Journal of Medicine was going to publish two papers showing positive results for its drug imetelstat.

And in the banking sector, proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis & Co. is recommending shareholders they vote against a board proposal by Bank of America Corp.(BAC) that would let the bank's chief executive, Brian Moynihan, keep the title of chairman. Bank of America shares were 0.9% higher ahead of the bell.

Lannett Co. Inc.(LCI) jumped 17% premarket after the pharmaceutical company said it'll buy UCB SA's (UCB.BT) Kremers Urban Pharmaceuticals Inc. for $1.23 billion (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/lannett-to-acquire-ucbs-kremers-urban-unit-2015-09-02-184854134).

Costco Wholesale Corp.(COST) could also be active after the warehouse retailer said late Wednesday sales in stores open at least a year grew significantly during fiscal 2015 (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/costco-same-store-sales-rose-significantly-in-2015-2015-09-03).

Other markets: Asian markets closed mostly higher (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid), inspiring gains across Europe's equity benchmarks (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-markets-rise-as-investors-wait-for-qe-hints-from-draghi-2015-09-03) as well. Markets in Shanghai and Hong Kong were closed for a two-day holiday to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War II.

Crude oil inched lower, retracing from a 1.9% gain from Wednesday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/brent-back-below-50-as-oil-prices-keep-sliding-2015-09-02).

Gold also dipped, while the dollar traded mixed against other major currencies.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 03, 2015 08:07 ET (12:07 GMT)