stock futures

U.S. stock futures are higher with the government reporting that weekly jobless claims edged downward last week, suggesting that employers may accelerate hiring this month.

The dollar and U.S. stock futures rose following President Barack Obama's announcement late Sunday night that Osama Bin Laden had been killed. Analysts said the boost to the currency was a signal of greater confidence in the United States and a reduction in national security risks.

U.S. stocks are, for now, set to open slightly higher. But stock futures, which edged higher Friday morning, traded in a narrow range as investors await November's government employment report, hoping it will show a declining rate of job losses. Any large surprise to the upside or downside may not...