New York - US stock index futures were little changed on Thursday as investors looked ahead to data on the labor market and continued to digest recent comments by Federal Reserve officials.
Fed policymakers expressed concern last month that raising interest rates too soon could pour cold water on the US economic recovery, according to minutes from the Fed's January 27-28 meeting. Stocks generally have risen with any sign the Fed could raise rates later rather than sooner.
Energy shares looked to be in focus with crude oil down 4% at $50.08, as another big weekly build in US crude inventories and possible rise in Saudi output fueled concerns about oversupply. Exxon Mobil fell 1.1% to $90.04 in premarket trading while Halliburton was off 1.8% to $43.60 and ConocoPhillips fell 1.7% to $66.60.