US equity futures were higher pre-bell Thursday ahead of a deluge of economic data, including a report on quarterly economic growth, while traders continued to monitor geopolitical news from the Middle East.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 0.2%, S&P 500 futures were 0.3% higher, and Nasdaq futures were up 0.5%.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.4% at $66.72 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.6% higher at $65.31 per barrel.

The Q1 gross domestic product report, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is expected to show an unrevised 0.2% decline for the quarter, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

The new unemployment claims bulletin, also due at 8:30 am ET, is expected to show a 1,000 drop in initial unemployment claims to 244,000 in the week ended June 21. US trade in goods deficit is expected to have narrowed to $86.3 billion in May from $87.62 billion previously. Orders for durable goods are expected to have increased by 8.6% in May.

The pending home sales index, due at 10 am ET, is expected to show a 0.2% growth for May.