Stocks are set to open lower on disappointing weekly jobless claims data Thursday. Thirty minutes before the opening bell on Wall Street, stock index futures indicate that the Dow Jones Industrial Average might lose 25 or 30 points at the open.

Stock index futures slipped after the Labor Department said weekly jobless claims fell by 6,000 to 462,000 in the first week of March. Economists were looking for a decline to 460,000. Continuing claims for the end of February increased to 4.558 mln from 4.521 mln and more than the 4.5 mln economists were expecting.

Separate data showed the Trade Balance narrowing to $37.3 billion in January, down from $39.9 billion in December thanks to falling imports. Economists were looking for a wider $41 billion deficit.

Bonds are modestly lower, but off morning lows on the poor economic data. The benchmark ten-year Treasury is down 2/32nd and now yields 3.73 percent.

The dollar is flat at 90.49 against the yen. The euro edged down .0011 to 1.3643 against the buck.

Energy, metals and mining names might see early weakness after crude oil lost 58 cents to $81.51 a barrel and gold shed $4.4 to $1103.70 an ounce.

Among the other stocks to watch, Mens Wearhouse (MW) shares fell 7 percent after the company reported a fourth quarter loss on lower sales and write-downs. Hott Topic (HOTT) also slipped on earnings news. Fuel Cell (FCEL) gained 5 percent after the company reported in-line earnings and also announced a new $2.1 billion contract. National Semi (NSM) might see some action today ahead of earnings, due out after the closing bell.