Stocks are indicated modestly higher following a round of mixed economic data Thursday morning. Less than thirty minutes before the opening bell on Wall Street, stock index futures hint at possible 20 point early gain for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Economic data is in focus. A report on November durable goods showed an increase of just .2 percent; which is better than the .6 percent decline in October, but below the .5 percent average economist estimate.

However, a separate report showed weekly jobless claims falling to 452,000 in the period ended December 19, down from 480,000 two weeks ago and better than the 470,000 economists had predicted.

Bonds are little changed on the mixed data. The benchmark ten-year Treasury is down 1/32nd and now yields 3.75 percent.

The dollar is flat near 91.60 against the yen. The euro edged up .0040 to 1.4376 on the buck.

Some of the energy and mining names might see strength. After rallying more than $2 yesterday, crude oil is up another 24 cents to $76.91. Gold gained $7 to $1,102 an ounce.

Overall, trading is expected to be very light today ahead of the holiday weekend. There are no earnings of importance and no other economic data until consumer confidence numbers next Tuesday.

All US stock and options market close early today, at 1:00 Eastern time.