NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- U.S. stock futures fell Thursday after the government reported a surge in the number of Americans filing first-time claims for unemployment benefits, suprising economists who expected a decline.
Dow Jones industrial average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq 100 futures were lower ahead of the opening bell.
Futures measure current index values against perceived future performance and offer an indication of how markets may open when trading begins.
U.S. stocks retreated Wednesday after General Motors reported a huge loss and a report showed a drop in consumer borrowing.
Economy: There were 460,000 initial jobless claims filed in the week ended April 3, up 18,000 from an upwardly revised 442,000 the previous week, according to the Labor Department's weekly report.
Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had expected 442,000 claims. The number of new claims were just below the level reached in the Feb. 27 week, when initial claims totaled 466,000.
Separately, investors are looking to March sales results from large chain stores, which were coming in stronger than forecast. Solid sales could reinforce the view that consumer confidence is on the mend.
Companies: UAL's (UAUA, Fortune 500) United Airlines and US Airways (LCC, Fortune 500) have restarted talks about a potential merger, according to several news reports. The deal would create the second-largest U.S. airline, the reports said.
Stocks of other major airlines were poised to open higher.
World markets: European markets tumbled as the European Central Bank and Bank of England met. Britain's FTSE 100, France's CAC 40 and Germany's DAX all lost at least 1% in morning trading.
Asia shares also pulled back. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 0.3% and Japan's Nikkei finished the session 1.1% lower.
Currencies and commodities: The dollar rose against its main trading partners, including the euro, yen and pound.
Oil prices dipped in the early going, with crude for May delivery drifting down 63 cents to $85.25 barrel. Gold prices fell $2.70 to $1,149.60 an ounce.
Bonds: U.S. Treasurys were higher, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year note at 3.86%. Prices and yields move in opposite direction.
The government will offer $13 billion worth of 30-year bonds in the last of four auctions this week totaling $82 billion. 
| Overnight Avg Rate | Latest | Change | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 yr fixed | 3.80% | 3.88% | |
| 15 yr fixed | 3.20% | 3.23% | |
| 5/1 ARM | 3.84% | 3.88% | |
| 30 yr refi | 3.82% | 3.93% | |
| 15 yr refi | 3.20% | 3.23% |
Today's featured rates:
| Index | Last | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dow | 32,627.97 | -234.33 | -0.71% |
| Nasdaq | 13,215.24 | 99.07 | 0.76% |
| S&P 500 | 3,913.10 | -2.36 | -0.06% |
| Treasuries | 1.73 | 0.00 | 0.12% |
| Company | Price | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Motor Co | 8.29 | 0.05 | 0.61% |
| Advanced Micro Devic... | 54.59 | 0.70 | 1.30% |
| Cisco Systems Inc | 47.49 | -2.44 | -4.89% |
| General Electric Co | 13.00 | -0.16 | -1.22% |
| Kraft Heinz Co | 27.84 | -2.20 | -7.32% |
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