U.S. Stock Futures Higher Ahead of Data NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher market open on Thursday, as investors expect a new batch of economic data to back up Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan's positive view on the economy, but oil prices at four-month peaks may restrain gains. With monthly sales figures rolling in from retailers, Starbucks Corp. (SBUX.O: Quote , Profile , Research ) late Wednesday reported a better-than-expected top-line increase for February, propelling its shares about 2 percent higher in overseas trading. Pier 1 Imports Inc. (PIR.N: Quote , Profile , Research ) , meanwhile, cut its quarterly earnings forecast after a worse-than-expected 15.3 percent drop in sales at stores open at least a year in February. Elsewhere, an executive at chip maker Intel Corp. (INTC.O: Quote , Profile , Research ) said the company was seeing good results with an advanced manufacturing technology it plans to use in products next year. S&P 500 futures (SPH5: Quote , Profile , Research ) rose 3.7 points, above fair value accounting for interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract, indicating the S&P would open higher. Dow Jones industrial index futures (DJH5: Quote , Profile , Research ) were up 32 points, while Nasdaq 100 (NDH5: Quote , Profile , Research ) futures climbed 7 points higher. "The futures are higher probably in advance of the ISM number," said Irwin Messer, vice president at Shields & Co. The Institute for Supply Management's non-manufacturing, or services, index at is due at 10 a.m. Economists forecast a median reading of 60 versus 59.2 in January. Investors will also look at revised fourth-quarter productivity and labor costs data, while weekly jobless claims will give them a sense of the labor market's strength ahead of Friday's all-important U.S. non-farm payrolls data. Both sets of numbers are due at 8:30 a.m. On Wednesday, investors took reassurance from Greenspan's remarks that signaled no change in interest-rate policy. The central banker said the U.S. economy was on a good footing and that inflation was stable. But U.S. crude oil prices above $53 a barrel stoked up concerns that surging energy prices would erode corporate margins and consumers' spending power.     Continued ... Quelle "U.S. Stock Futures Higher Ahead of Data" : reuters.com Main page for "U.S. Stock Futures Higher Ahead of Data"