US equity futures were mixed before Thursday's opening bell as traders looked ahead to a flurry of economic reports.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.4%, while S&P 500 futures rose 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures advanced 0.3%.

Oil prices were lower after days of advances, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 0.2% at $81.89 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude down 0.2% at $78.55 per barrel.

US initial jobless claims rose to a level of 217,000 in the week ended Jan. 11 from 203,000 in the previous week, compared with expectations for 210,000 in a survey by Bloomberg. Retail sales increased 0.4% in December, a smaller gain than the 0.6% increase expected in a survey by Bloomberg and following the previous month's 0.8% increase.

The Philadelphia Federal Reserve's monthly manufacturing index rose sharply to 44.3 in January after falling to minus 10.9 in December, compared with expectations for minus 5.0 in a survey by Bloomberg.

Monthly housing numbers are expected to be flat in a report to be released after the opening bell.

Asian stock markets advanced, with Japan's Nikkei 225 up 0.3%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng rising 1.2%, and China's Shanghai Composite finishing 0.3% higher.

European bourses also fared well, with the UK's FTSE 100 up 0.6%, and Germany's DAX index edging up 0.3% in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, quantum computing firms were big gainers, with D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) up 8%, Quantum-Si (QSI) up more than 6%, Quantum Computing (QUBT) up 14%, and Rigetti Computing (RGTI) up over 1% amid heavier-than-usual volume as investors scooped up perceived bargains amid recent declines in the sector.

Among losers, Southwest Airlines (LUV) shares fell about 2% following news that the US Department of Transportation sued the company over chronically delayed flights.