March 13 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures pared

losses on Thursday after producer prices data showed abating

inflation pressures, offering investors some respite as they

seek clues on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy trajectory

this year.

Data from the Labor Department showed the Producer Price

Index rose 3.2% on an annual basis in February, compared with a

3.3% rise expected by economists polled by Reuters. On a monthly

basis, it remained steady.

Excluding the volatile food and energy components, core PPI

increased 3.4% on an annual basis, compared with an expected

3.5% rise.

Separately, a report showed jobless claims were 220,000 for

the week ended March 8, versus an estimate of 225,000.

U.S. S&P 500 E-minis were down 10 points, or 0.18%,

with 263,596 contracts changing hands. Nasdaq 100 E-minis

were down 55.25 points, or 0.28%, Dow E-minis

were down 70 points, or 0.17%