Stock index futures fell on Thursday after government data showed the number of workers filing new claims for jobless benefits unexpectedly rose last week.

The latest data also showed the U.S. economy shrank slightly less in early 2009 than previously thought, although there was widespread weakness in activity, and demand was soft.

S&P 500 futures fell 5 points and were below 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 shed 37 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures slid 7.75 points.

(Reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

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