U.S. futures on Thursday pointed to a muted open, as analysts suggested the post-election rally is catching its breath as the Christmas weekend approaches.
Investors are waiting for a raft of economic data due before the open that might jolt the market out of its pre-holiday lull.
S&P 500 futures edged down by 2.15 points, or 0.1%, to 2,258.25, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures inched lower by 13 points, or 0.1%, to 19,878. Nasdaq-100 futures shed 7.25 points, or 0.2%, to 4,942.25.
On Wednesday, the S&P 500 , Dow industrials and Nasdaq Composite all closed between 0.1% and 0.2% lower, as the Dow failed again to climb above 20,000, a mark seen as psychologically important.
"With the DJIA flirting with the 20,000 level, we are reminded that millennium and century marks on major stock indices have traditionally acted like rusty doors, requiring several attempts before finally swinging open," said Sam Stovall, CFRA's chief investment strategist, in a note.
"Therefore, it should come as no surprise if stocks take a breather to digest recent gains," he said.
Economic docket: A third estimate on U.S. third-quarter economic growth is slated to hit at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, with economists polled by MarketWatch forecasting expansion of 3.3%.
At that same time, investors are due to receive a reading on weekly jobless claims, with 258,00 claims expected, as well as a November report on durable-goods orders, with a decline of 4.8% anticipated.
At 10 a.m. Eastern, a November release on personal income, consumer spending and core inflation is on tap. Economists expect a 0.3% increase in income and spending, along with a 0.1% rise for the inflation figure.