Stocks futures indicate lower opening

NEW YORK — Stock futures are pointing toward a lower opening following the lead of overseas markets and ahead of a weekly report on unemployment.

Investors looking for a signs of an improving economy will focus Thursday on the Labor Department’s weekly unemployment report. An unexpected drop in home construction kept investors on edge about a recovery and helped push stocks lower Wednesday.

Consumers worried about their jobs have cut back on spending, which has slowed a recovery.

Dow Jones industrial average futures are down 53, or 0.5 percent, at 10,351. Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures are down 7.50, or 0.7 percent, at 1,101.80, while Nasdaq 100 index futures are down 8.25, or 0.5 percent, at 1,792.25.