US futures are mixed as investors focus on technology profits

US stock index futures were mixed on Thursday morning, as investors prepare for a busy day of profits.

At approximately 2:30 pm (Eastern time), Dow's futures contracts were 52 points higher and 36 points implicitly open, while the S & P 500 Index was slightly higher. Nasdaq seemed about to go down.

The S & P 500 and Nasdaq Composite hit unprecedented highs on Wednesday, supported by a smart rally, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average pulled back on the heels of disappointing results from Boeing and Caterpillar.

Investors continue to follow the evolution of trade with US and Chinese negotiators to meet next week. However, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC on Wednesday that the two countries still have many problems to deal with.

At the same time, the European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to announce its latest monetary policy decision, with traders speculating that President Mario Draghi could announce a rate cut in September with a change of direction on Thursday.

Nasdaq shares will be the focus of concern Thursday after the Justice Department announced an extensive antitrust review of major technology companies, while Google's parent companies, Alphabet and Amazon, are expected to publish their results after the bell.

Bristol-Myers Squibb, Comcast, 3M and Dow must all come before the bell.

In terms of data, the figures for jobless claims last week are expected at 8:30 am ET, as are durable goods and the June leading economic indicators. Vacancy data for the second quarter are expected at 10:00, while the Kansas City Fed's July survey is scheduled at 11:00.

– Fred Imbert of CNBC contributed to this report

Follow CNBC International on and Facebook.