Mixed economic data from the States was expected to prompt a cautious start for US stocks on Thursday as retail sales grew less than expected and jobless claims edged higher.

Stock futures on the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq were down 0.1% ahead the opening bell.

Retail sales Stateside increased by just 0.3% in May, less than the 0.6% growth expected by the market. However, the 'miss' was largely due to the previous month's reading being revised to show a 0.5% increase, compared with the 0.1% gain initially reported.

Chris Williamson, Chief Economist at Markit, said: "So far in the second quarter, retail sales are up 2.0% on the first quarter, which would be the strongest quarterly gain since the first quarter of 2011."

Meanwhile, initial jobless claims totalled 317,000 in the week ended June 7th, up from 312,000 the previous week, surprising analysts who had expected a small fall to 309,000.

Social-media group Twitter was in focus in pre-market trade after its Chief Operating Officer Ali Rowghani has resigned.

PC manufacturer Hewlett-Packard rose after Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock from 'sell' to 'neutral'.

BC

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