MARKET SNAPSHOT: U.S. Stocks: Futures Flat With Retailers, Draghi In Focus

By Barbara Kollmeyer, MarketWatch Sears, Dollar General, other retailers due ahead of the bell

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks were pointing to a flat start for Wall Street on the heels of another record-breaking session, with investors keeping an eye on a European Central Bank news conference, the latest moves in the energy sector and weekly jobless claims data.

Futures for the S&P 500 index (SPZ4) were mostly flat at 2,073.60, while those for the Dow industrials (DJZ4) added 15 points to 17,912. Futures for the Nasdaq-100 index (NDZ4) gained 5.25 points to 4,315.75.

Both the S&P 500 (SPX) and the Dow industrials (DJI) bagged record closes -- the 48th and 33rd of the year -- on Wednesday, with markets lifted by upbeat services sector data and cyclical stocks such as energy. But action was flat early Thursday, with some big events looming for investors.

Looking for a Draghi dove: The ECB kept key rates unchanged at a meeting that has just wrapped, and investors will turn their attention to a news conference from ECB President Mario Draghi at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. Markets will be looking out for any dovish comments on whether the central bank is ready to kick off more stimulus. Read a preview

"Draghi needs to be very, very dovish and hint at more ECB action to keep stocks going up. I think he will be dovish, but there will be no hints strong enough to meet investor expectations," said Wouter Sturkenboom, strategist at Russell Investments in London, in emailed comments. Watch our live blog of the ECB news conference

Plus: The Hindenburg Omen cries bear market again

Weekly jobless clams are coming at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The data comes ahead of Friday's nonfarm-payroll data, a big event that gives investors a reason to sit on the sidelines. "Jobs data needs to come in the area of 180,000-230,000 to keep investors happy. Higher is worse than lower," said Sturkenboom. Why economists say 400,000 jobs could be added

(Also see: The case for an imminent stock-market correction http://www.marketwatch.com/story/correction-imminent-2014-12-02.)

Retailers on tap: Ahead of the opening bell, Sears Holding Corp. (SHLD) reported a wider third-quarter net loss on lower revenue. Dollar General Corp.(DG)(DG) missed estimates, and shares are down 1% in premarket, but the cut-price retailer says it remains committed to a deal to acquire Family Dollar Stores Inc.(FDO).

Still to come are Barnes & Noble Inc.(BKS) and Kroger Co. (ARO). Read previews of Barnes & Noble earnings, Sears earnings

Aéropostale Inc.(ARO) shares fell 7% in after-hours trading Wednesday, after the retailer posted a disappointing fourth-quarter outlook.

Chinese stocks see best day in two years: The dollar(EURUSD) hovered at a two-year high against the euro ahead of the ECB meeting and remained at a seven-year high against the yen. The ruble fell further against the dollar as Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a speech to lawmakers and officials in Moscow. He said Western nations are holding back his country and warned of tough times ahead.

European stocks treaded water as well, while Asian stocks rallied on the heels of U.S. gains. China's Shanghai Composite soared 4.3%, the biggest rise in two years, as retail investors piled in and banks upgraded prospects for China's economy. Japan's Nikkei 225 index added 0.9%.

Oil prices(CLF5) flattened, and gold(GCG5) was slightly higher.

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