Stock index futures held gains on Thursday after data showed weekly jobless claims fell from the prior week.

S&P 500 futures rose 2.6 points and were slightly above fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures rose 6 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 8.5 points.

New U.S. claims for unemployment benefits fell less than expected last week, according to a government report.

(Reporting by Angela Moon)