09:23 AM EDT, 05/08/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US stocks look set to open higher in Thursday's trading session as investors cheered US-UK trade talks while weekly unemployment numbers fell more than expected.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 0.54%, S&P 500 futures were gaining 0.76%, and Nasdaq futures were rising 1.11%.

Oil prices were moving higher, with front-month global benchmarks Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate crude rising 1.39% and 1.65% respectively.

The Department of Labor reported Thursday that weekly initial jobless claims declined to 228,000 from 241,000 the previous week and below the 230,000 expected by analysts, according to Bloomberg.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei gained 0.41%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.37%, and China's Shanghai Composite was up 0.28%. In Europe's early afternoon session, the UK's FTSE 100 was flat, while Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 were up about 0.8% each.

In equities, shares of Jianzhi Education Technology Group ( JZ ) soared 93% in Thursday's premarket session after losing 29% the previous session. Asset Entities ( ASST ) jumped 50%, adding to a massive 450% gain on Wednesday when it said it will merge with Strive Asset Management to form a public company. ZK International ( ZKIN ) shares surged 40%, adding to an 11% gain on Wednesday. Sezzle's ( SEZL ) stock advanced 32% after it reported rising Q1 earnings and revenue after hours Wednesday, and raised its full-year 2025 guidance. D-Wave Quantum ( QBTS ) climbed 24% after it reported a narrower loss for Q1 that topped analyst forecasts. And Dave Inc. ( DAVE ) rose 28% after reporting Q1 revenue Thursday that beat analyst expectations.

On the losing side, shares of Cardio Diagnostics ( CDIO ) plummeted 50% after announcing a 1-for-30 reverse stock split Thursday morning. Compass Diversified ( CODI ) stock plunged 45% after a marginal gain Wednesday. Energy Recovery ( ERII ) shares tumbled 25% after it reported late Wednesday that its net loss per share widened in Q1. And shares of Krispy Kreme (DNUT) fell 26% after it reported Thursday a wider loss and lower revenue in Q1.