US futures point to a down start on Thursday as investors remain cautious after the Dow's recent rally towards a two-month high.

Initial claims for unemployment insurance fell to 462,000 in latest week, according to the Labor Department. Analysts expected a drop to 460,000.

Elsewhere on the economic front, the January trade deficit shrank a seasonally adjusted 6.6% in January to $37.29bn.

The Dow Jones is seen 14 points lower, while the Nasdaq is expected to drop 3 points. The S&P 500 is also anticipated to open down 3 points.

Daihatsu is the latest carmaker to recall its vehicles for repair, telling almost 275,000 drivers their vehicles may suffer from missing or loose parts.

The company, 51%-owned by troubled peer Toyota, says its Hijet and Atrai mini-van models may have problems.

A Mexican billionaire last night became the first man from a developing nation to be ranked the world's richest person.

Telecom tycoon Carlos Slim has an estimated fortune of $53.5bn, according to the annual Forbes rich list, putting him ahead of Microsoft founder Bill Gates and legendary American investor Warren Buffett.

The 70-year old, who increased his wealth by £18.5bn in the last 12 months, beat last year's number one, Bill Gates. Gates is worth $53bn, while this year's third richest man, Warren Buffett has a fortune of $47bn.

Elsewhere in the world, Japan's economy grew less than previously thought in the last quarter of 2009, new figures show, demonstrating that recovery in the Asian country may be weaker than thought.

Meanwhile, consumer price inflation (CPI) accelerated rapidly in China in February, fuelling speculation that the government will call ease stimulus measures.

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