Stock futures steady ahead of jobs, housing data

By SARA LEPRO
AP Business Writer

NEW YORK -- Stock futures are little changed as investors wait for more clues on how the economy is faring.

The quiet trading Thursday follows declines in markets overseas that came after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged and said the pace of economic activity has improved.

The Fed's latest assessment, while slightly more upbeat, did not come as a surprise, and a brief rally in U.S. stocks that followed the statement Wednesday quickly faded.

Investors are looking toward impending reports on jobs and housing. Investors will also be keeping an eye on the Group of 20 meeting in Pittsburgh.

Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 1 at 9,718. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures are up 0.60 at 1,059, while Nasdaq 100 index futures are up 2 at 1,728.

Posted in: Business-Economic,World News