U.S. stock index futures rose on Thursday after data showed the number of people filing new jobless claims declined for a third straight week.

The report also showed the number of people staying on benefit rolls after the first week fell, marking the first time continued claims have dropped since early January.

S&P 500 futures rose 3.70 points and were above fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures gained 31 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures added 2 points.

(Reporting by Leah Schnurr; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

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