Stock futures climb on drop in unemployment claims

NEW YORK (AP) — Stock futures are rising after first-time claims for unemployment benefits dropped more than expected and the government raised its final reading on second-quarter gross domestic product.

Traders are looking to end a strong September on a high note after the Labor Department says first-time claims for unemployment benefits fell to 453,000 last week. That’s better than the 460,000 economists had forecast.

A final reading on GDP, the broadest measure of the nation’s economy, was raised to 1.7 percent from 1.6 percent.

Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 23, or 0.2 percent, at 10,803. S&P 500 futures are up 2, or 0.2 percent, at 1,143, while Nasdaq 100 futures are up 5, or 0.3 percent, at 2,014.