Williams-Sonoma Inc. swings to a third-quarter profit and raises its fourth-quarter and full-year outlooks.

  U.S. stock futures point to a downbeat start Thursday, after weekly jobless claims come in nearly as expected and fail to offset pessimism surrounding the world economy that was weighing on markets.

  U.S. stock futures pointed to a downbeat start Thursday, as pessimism surrounding the world economy weighed on markets. See Indications.

  The number of people filing initial claims for state unemployment benefits was flat at a seasonally adjusted 505,000 in the week ended Nov. 14, the Labor Department reports.

  Investors seek the perceived safety of the low-yielding currency.

  German semiconductor maker Infineon Technologies AG retuns to profitability in the fiscal fourth quarter.

  Among the shares expected to see active trade in Thursday's session are the semiconductor firms as well as Aetna, Campbell Soup, Hot Topic, Jack in the Box, Limited, NetApp, Sears, Sony, Stage Stores and Williams-Sonoma.

  Deal speculation builds again in London, this time with Reckitt Benckiser in the spotlight.

  Sears Holdings Corp. says its fiscal third-quarter loss narrowed after it controlled expenses and inventory to offset lower sales at its namesake chain.

  Oil futures fall 1%, as a rebound in the U.S. dollar and declining European equities dent investor sentiment.