US stock index futures slump due to weak capital goods data

U.S. stock index futures added to losses on Thursday, after new orders for key U.S.-made capital goods unexpectedly fell in the month of December, pointing to a further slowdown in business spending on equipment that could crimp economic growth. Another report showed the number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, but the four-week moving average rose to a more than one-year high, suggesting the labour market was slowing down.

At 8:30 a.m. ET, Dow e-minis were down 61 points, or 0.23 per cent. S&P 500 e-minis were down 7.5 points, or 0.27 per cent and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 18.25 points, or 0.26 per cent. Moments before the reports, Dow e-minis were down 33 points, or 0.13 per cent. S&P 500 e-minis were down 4.25 points, or 0.15 per cent and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 7 points, or 0.1 per cent.