Wall Street Aims To Open Higher BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Weekly Jobless Claims, Housing Starts Data, and the Philadelphia-area manufacturing activity report are the highlights on Thursday. The developments in Washington as well as the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine might influence investor sentiments. Asian shares finished mostly higher, while European shares are trading lower. Early signs from the U.S. Futures Index suggest that Wall Street might open higher. As of 7.40 am ET, the Dow futures were adding 98.00 points, the S&P 500 futures were gaining 17.75 points and the Nasdaq 100 futures were up 61.00 points. The U.S. major averages eventually ended Wednesday's session mixed. The Dow dipped 44.77 points or 0.2 percent to 30,154.54, the Nasdaq climbed 63.13 points or 0.5 percent to 12,658.19 and the S&P 500 rose 6.55 points or 0.2 percent to 3,701.17.