09:02 AM EDT, 09/26/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures posted gains before Thursday's opening bell as traders digested economic data, including a reading on US economic growth.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 0.5%, S&P 500 futures increased 0.8%, and Nasdaq futures were up 1.6%.

Oil prices were lower, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 2.2% at $71.32 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude down 2.4% at $68.04 per barrel.

The third estimate of Q2 US gross domestic product growth, released at 8:30 am ET, came in unchanged from the second estimate at 3% growth, compared with estimates compiled by Bloomberg for a 2.9% increase.

New orders for durable goods, also released at 8:30 am ET, came in flat in August following a 9.9% gain in July, compared with estimates for a 2.7% decrease. Weekly jobless claims fell to 218,000 in the week ended Sept. 21 from 222,000 in the preceding week, compared with estimates for 223,000 claims.

Pending home sales, due at 10 am ET, are seen edging higher by 0.9% in August following a 5.5% drop in July.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 2.8% higher, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 4.2% higher, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 3.6% higher. Meanwhile, UK's FTSE 100 gained 0.2%, Germany's DAX index rose 1.3%, France's CAC 40 was up 1.8% and Spain's IBEX 35 was up 1.3% in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, shares of Southwest Airlines ( LUV ) were nearly 6% higher pre-bell after the carrier unveiled a three-year plan for revenue growth and profitability. Micron Technology ( MU ) shares increased nearly 18% after reporting improved fiscal Q4 financial results.

On the losing side, Concentrix ( CNXC ) shares were nearly 13% lower after the company cut its fiscal year non-GAAP earnings guidance.