New York - US stock index futures were inching higher on Friday after major indexes suffered their biggest drop since July, ahead of data on economic growth and consumer optimism.
* Major indexes saw their biggest declines since July 31 on Thursday in a broad sell off, with the S&P 500 falling through a key technical support level, as Apple slumped and the dollar hit a four-year high.
* The S&P has dropped for four of the past five sessions and closed below its 50-day moving average for the first time since August 15.
That level had previously served as support, and a protracted period underneath it could signal further losses.
* Economic data due includes a final reading of gross domestic product growth in the second quarter at 8:30 am (14:30 SA time).
Expectations call for expansion of 4.6 percent versus the prior reading of 4.2 percent.
* Later in the session at 9:55 a.m. (15:55 SA time), investors will eye the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's final September reading on consumer sentiment.
The current estimate stands at 84.7 versus a preliminary reading of 84.6.
* Nike shares were trading up 7.2 percent to $85.50 (R957) before the opening bell after the world's largest sportswear maker reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit.
* Micron Technology shares were climbing 6.2 percent to $33.65 in premarket after the memory chipmaker posted fiscal fourth-quarter results and a revenue outlook that impressed Wall Street.
* US-listed shares of Blackberry were up 4 percent to $10.19 in premarket after the company reported a smaller quarterly loss in an early sign that its drawn-out turnaround efforts might be working.
* The sharp sell-off in the US on Thursday hit European and Asian equities, as European shares slipped to a new one-month low while the Nikkei share average ended 0.9 percent lower.
* S&P 500 e-minis were up 2 points, or 0.1 percent, with 153,219 contracts changing hands.
* Nasdaq 100 e-minis were gaining 4.75 points, or 0.12 percent, in volume of 28,784 contracts.
* Dow e-minis were up 26 points, or 0.15 percent, with 20,956 contracts changing hands. - Reuters