U.S. stock index futures pointed to a lower start on Wall Street Thursday, ahead of second-quarter numbers from JPMorgan, Google and IBM.

At 5 a.m., futures for the S&P 500 were down 0.3 percent, Dow Jones futures were down 0.4 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures were 0.3 percent lower.

European shares were flat in early trade Thursday with drugmakers the biggest risers. At 5.16 a.m. the FTSEurofirst 300 was down 0.01 percent at 863.22 points.

JPMorgan is reporting its second-quarter numbers with analysts estimating earnings per share at 0.06 cents compared with 0.54 cents a year ago.

Shares in JPMorgan in Frankfurt were down 0.2 percent.

Google reports second-quarter numbers with analysts expecting earnings per share to be at $5.08 compared with $4.63 a year ago.

IBM reports second-quarter numbers with analysts expecting earnings per share to come in at $2.01 compared with $1.98 a year ago.

Harley-Davidson is reporting its second-quarter numbers with analysts expecting earnings per share to be at 0.26 cents compared with 0.95 cents a year ago.

Marriott is reporting second-quarter numbers with analysts estimating earnings per share at 0.21 cents compared with 0.51 cents a year ago.

Biogen Idec reports second-quarter numbers with analysts expecting earnings per share at 0.68 cents compared with 0.91 cents a year ago.

Baxter International is reporting second-quarter numbers with analysts expecting earnings per share to come in at 0.94 cents compared with 0.85 cents a year ago.

At 8.30 a.m. , the Labor Department releases first-time claims for jobless benefits for the week ended July 12. Economists in a Reuters survey forecast a total of 565,000 new filings, a repeat of the prior week's number.

At 10 a.m., the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank releases the July business activity survey. Economists in a Reuters survey forecast a reading of -5.0 versus -2.2 in June.

At 1 p.m., the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo issues the July housing market index. Economists in a Reuters survey expect a reading of 16 compared with 15 in June.

Xilinx Inc shares fell 2.2 percent to $20.20 in extended trade Wednesday after the chip maker reported first-quarter results and said second-quarter sales are expected to be up about 2 to 6 percent.

Bank of America Corp is operating under a secret U.S. regulatory sanction that requires it to overhaul its board and address perceived problems with risk and liquidity management, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the situation.

U.S. stocks jumped Wednesday with the S&P 500 racking up its three best days since March, sparked by results from bellwether Intel Corp that lifted hopes for a rebound in technology spending and improved corporate profitability. * The Dow Jones industrial average rose 3.1 percent, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 3 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 3.5 percent.

(Reporting by Joanne Frearson; editing by Simon Jessop)

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