MARKET SNAPSHOT: U.S. Stocks: Futures Line Up For Another Tough Day Ahead Of Jobless Claims, Inflation Data

By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch

Exxon Mobil, New York Times earnings on tap

U.S. stock futures pointed to another day in the red Thursday, ahead of a stream of data that could provide a trigger to build on the previous session's Federal Reserve-fueled losses.

Investors were also watching the latest raft of corporate earnings, including results from Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), New York Times Co. (NYT) and Colgate-Palmolive Co. (CL).

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average (YMM5) dropped 40 points, or 0.2%, to 17,9145, while those for the S&P 500 index (ESM5) lost 3.75 points, or 0.2%, to 2,095.25. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index (NQM5) gave up 18.50 points, or 0.1%, to 4,460.75.

The losses add to declines from Wednesday, when the benchmarks ended a volatile session lower (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid)after the Fed left open the possibility of an interest-rate hike as early as June (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fed-expects-economy-to-recover-as-it-keeps-rate-options-open-2015-04-29). The central bank said it wants to see further improvement in the labor market and have confidence that low inflation is stabilizing before they raise rates. Sluggish first-quarter growth also took a toll on stocks.

Data: Investors will get data on both the labor market and inflation later on Thursday. At 8:30 a.m. Eastern, weekly jobless claims are due, forecast to show 287,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, down from 295,000 the week before.

The employment-cost index for the first quarter, personal income and consumer spending for March are also due at 8:30. For forecasts, .

Core inflation, which is one of the Fed's most closely watched measures, comes out at 8:30 as well. Consumer-price data for the eurozone showed earlier on Thursday that the region escaped negative inflation in April (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/eurozone-consumer-prices-steady-after-declines-2015-04-30) after four months of declining consumer prices.

Fed speakers: Governor Daniel Tarullo will speak on community bank regulation to community bankers association in Washington at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.

Earnings: Reporting ahead of the bell, Exxon MobilCorp.(XOM) is forecast to post first-quarter earnings of 82 cents (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-to-look-for-in-exxon-earnings-2015-04-28) a share. Another energy company, ConocoPhillips (COP), reported an adjusted first-quarter loss of 18 cents, slightly bigger than what was forecast.

New York Times Co.(NYT) is projected to report first-quarter earnings of 8 cents a share, according to a consensus survey by FactSet.

Colgate-Palmolive Co.(CL) said first-quarter sales fell 6%, slightly missing analyst expectations. The consumer-goods company also said expects a double-digit decline in full-year earnings per share. Shares slipped 1.1% ahead of the bell.

Time Warner Cable Inc.(TWC) reported disappointing profit and revenue for the first quarter.

Viacom Inc.(VIA) reported adjusted second-quarter earnings above expectations (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/viacom-beats-profit-expectations-but-misses-on-sales-2015-04-30), while revenue missed.

After the bell, American International Group Inc.(AIG)LinkedInCorp.(LNKD) and Visa Inc. (V) are set to report. Read about what's expected (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-york-times-exxon-aig-linkedin-fireeye-earnings-in-focus-2015-04-30).

Movers and shakers: Shares of Yelp Inc.(YELP) plunged 18% ahead of the bell after the online review company late Wednesday reported first-quarter earnings that missed analyst expectations (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/yelp-reports-slower-growth-profit-and-sales-miss-2015-04-29). RBC Capital Markets on Thursday cut the stock to sector perform from outperform, citing the "very negative" quarterly result.

Glu Mobile Inc.(GLUU) leapt 23% premarket after Chinese Internet company Tencent Holdings Ltd. said it would buy a 14.6% stake in the mobile-game company for $126 million.

U.S.-listed shares of Alcatel-Lucent(ALU) slumped 5.5% after the Financial Times reported a major shareholder in the French telecoms company has criticized the terms of its buyout by Nokia (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/key-alcatel-lucent-shareholder-calls-nokia-deal-unacceptable-2015-04-30). U.S.-listed Nokia shares (NOK) lost 6.9%. The company also reported first-quarter earnings (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nokia-profit-falls-but-beats-expectations-2015-04-30).

Other markets: Asian stock markets closed mostly lower (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid), while European benchmarks (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid) struggled for direction.

Crude-oil prices (CLM5) moved 1% higher (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid) and most metals declined. The dollar (DXY) traded mixed against other major currencies (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid).

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires