U.S. stock index futures were slightly higher on Thursday.

At around 4:00 a.m., Dow futures rose 56 points, indicating a positive open of more than 49 points. Futures on the S&P and Nasdaq were both slightly higher.

Market focus is largely attuned to global trade developments, following a media report suggesting the world's two largest economies were on the cusp of signing a so-called “phase one” trade deal.

A Bloomberg report, which cited people familiar with U.S.-China trade talks, said both countries were inching closer to securing an agreement on the amount of tariffs that would be rolled back in a limited trade deal. President Donald Trump also said Wednesday that he believed trade talks with Beijing were going “very well.”

Source : CNBC