Beyond the Commerce Department's final reading on fourth-quarter gross domestic product, investors will also be examining weekly unemployment claims figures. Both reports are due before the opening bell. Wall Street is still trying to determine how well the economy is holding up under strains including tightness in the credit markets, a weak housing sector and nervous consumers who have cut back their spending.

Investors also eyed oil prices, which were moving higher after an attack on a key oil pipeline in Iraq.

Wall Street will be examining comments from Federal Reserve officials for insights into how the economy, and specifically the financial sector, are faring. Several Fed officials are slated to speak Thursday.

Dow Jones industrial average futures rose 51, or 0.41 percent, to 12,434. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures advanced 8.10, or 0.61 percent, to 1,343.50. Nasdaq 100 index futures rose 8.50, or 0.47 percent, to 1,818.80. Stocks declined Wednesday - essentially the first losses in four sessions - amid unease about the economy.