* Jobless claims, durable goods data on tap
* Senate passes healthcare reform bill
* Session will close early for Christmas Eve
* Futures up: Dow 30 pts, S&P 2.3 pts, Nasdaq 2.75 pts
* For up-to-the-minute market news, click STXNEWS/US
(Updates prices, adds quote)
By Ryan Vlastelica
NEW YORK, Dec 24 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were
higher on Thursday as the dollar weakened and investors awaited
data that was expected to show improvement in durable good
orders and the crucial labor market.
Healthcare-related sectors will be in focus after the U.S.
Senate approved an overhaul measure Thursday morning.
In data that could give clues on the strength of a
recovery, orders for long-lasting goods are expected to rise
0.5 percent after dropping 0.6 percent in October, while
initial jobless claims are seen falling by 15,000 from the
prior week. A decline suggests improvement in the battered
labor market, considered one of the biggest headwinds facing
the economy.
"The belief is that claims will fall and that durable goods
will be on the strong side, signs that economic activity is
continuing to grow," said Peter Cardillo, chief market
economist at Avalon Partners in New York.
"Futures are also being helped by strong overseas markets
and the lower dollar. So even if the data is weak, I expect
we'll end positive."
Both data points are scheduled for release at 8:30 a.m. EST
(1330 GMT).
S&P 500 futures <SPc1> rose 2.3 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 <DJc1> gained 30
points, and Nasdaq 100 futures <NDc1> added 2.75 points.
Thursday's session will be abbreviated for Christmas Eve,
and the markets will be closed on Friday for Christmas.
The Senate approved U.S. President Barack Obama's
healthcare overhaul. While the proposed reform has been
pressuring health insurance stocks, analysts say the measure
won't hurt the sector as much as previously thought.
[]
"The bill passing is priced into the market, and I don't
expect it to have any impact on trading, especially when volume
will be so light," Cardillo said.
The U.S. dollar index <.DXY> fell 0.4 percent, coming off
three-month highs against a basket of currencies a day after
weak U.S. housing data was released. For details, see
[]
Overseas, Japan's Nikkei average <> rose 1.5 percent
to close at a three-month high as a weaker yen boosted
exporters, while Europe's leading share index rose for a fourth
straight session and remained on track to post its best yearly
gains in a decade.
Dow component Chevron Corp <CVX.N> agreed late Wednesday to
pay almost $46 million to settle charges it underpaid royalties
owed for natural gas produced from federal and Indian leases,
the Justice Department said Wednesday. []
The Dow industrials eked out a fourth straight day of gains
in Wednesday's session, helped by solid earnings from
technology companies, though an unexpected drop in new home
sales limited advances.
