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Futures on major U.S. stock indices extended earlier gains on Wednesday after the Department of Labor reported that weekly jobless claims fell sharply last week to the lowest level since July 2008.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to a higher opening on Wednesday ahead of a wave of economic data including durable goods orders and new home sales.

US stocks declined in early trade on Tuesday as a fresh exchange of fire between North Korea and South Korea overshadowed better-than-expected reading on economic activity.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices remained lower on Tuesday despite better-than-expected reading on economic activity as a fresh exchange of fire between North Korea and South Korea weighed on the sentiment.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to lower opening on Tuesday as a fresh exchange of fire between North Korea and South Korea, and concerns over European debt crisis weighed on the sentiment.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to lower opening on Tuesday after North Korea shelled a South Korean island, triggering worries that the lingering tensions between the countries could worsen.

Airplanes do not look much like birds. But, according to a pair of engineers in California and South Africa, a bird's design could make an aircraft more fuel efficient.

S&P 500 Index slid 5.63 points, or 0.49 percent, to trade at 1,190.71 at 09:50 a.m. EST. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 44.77 points, or 0.40 percent, to trade at 11,136.46. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 0.44 percent to trade at 2,503.47.

Silver and palladium futures posted sharper gains on Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) on Friday after stronger than expected data from the world's largest economy on Thursday weakened the US dollar and increased investment appeal for risky assets.

S&P 500 Index gained 13.19 points, or 1.18 percent, to trade at 1,192.55 at 09:50 a.m. EDT. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 122.79 points, or 1.12 percent, to trade at 11,130.67. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 1.29 percent to trade at 2,508.13.

Futures on the S&P 500 gained 11.80 points to 1,189.30, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average are up 87.00 points to 11,082.00 and Nasdaq100 futures are up 25.50 points to 2,122.50.

S&P 500 Index edged up 0.68 points, or 0.06 percent, to trade at 1,179.73 at 09:53 a.m. EDT. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 8.47 points, or 0.08 percent, to trade at 11,015.03. The Nasdaq Composite Index gained 0.24 percent.

Futures on the S&P 500 gained 3.50 points, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average are up 23 points and Nasdaq100 futures are up 7 points.

Commodities slid across the board on Wednesday on fresh signals from China that it will soon raise rates with lingering Euro area debt woes also helping keep investors away from risky assets. Gold and silver traded near their 2-week lows while copper and platinum fell to their lowest since late September. Also, December and January crude fell to its lowest since Oct. 29.

S&P 500 Index is down 10.42 points, or 0.85 percent, to trade at 1,187.57 at 09:53 a.m. EDT. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 99.57 points, or 0.89 percent, to trade at 11,102.40. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 0.72 percent.

Futures on the S&P 500 are down 0.49 percent, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.55 percent and Nasdaq100 futures are down 0.73 percent.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to lower opening on Tuesday, with futures on the S&P 500 down 0.59 percent, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.54 percent and Nasdaq100 futures down 0.75 percent.

Futures on major U.S. indices point to a small rebound on Monday ahead of key monthly retail sales data.

Futures on major U.S. indices point to a lower opening on Thursday as weaker-than-expected sales and revenue forecast from Cisco Systems weighed on the sentiment.

Futures on major U.S. indices point to a lower opening on Thursday. Futures on the S&P 500 are down 0.38 percent, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average are down 0.27 percent and Nasdaq100 futures are down 0.66 percent.

Futures on major U.S. indices remained range bound on Wednesday ahead of key weekly U.S. jobs data and September trade balance reports from the government.