US stock futures mixed in narrow range as investors await reports on jobs, retail sales

Futures mixed ahead of jobs, retail sales reports

NEW YORK — U.S. stock futures are mixed in a narrow range as investors refrain from making big bets ahead of reports on retail sales and the labor market.

The market is finding some support from gains in overseas markets that were driven by solid corporate earnings.

Retailers are slated to report July sales at established stores, giving investors more insight into the financial health of the American consumer.

Meanwhile, the Labor Department is expected to report that the number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits fell slightly last week.

Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 10 at 9,255. Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures are up less than a point at 1,000, while Nasdaq 100 index futures are down 4 at 1,610.