U.S. stock index futures were higher Thursday as investors cheered a delay to higher U.S. tariffs against Chinese imports along with a large bond buying program from Europe's central bank.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials climbed 82 points, or 0.3%, early Thursday to 27,226
Futures for the S&P 500 poked ahead 8.75 points, or 0.3%, at 3,010.75
NASDAQ Composite futures jumped 44.75 points, or 0.6%, to 7,934.50
The Dow and S&P 500 entered Thursday's session less than 1% from record highs reached in July. The Dow also closed above 27,000 on Wednesday for the first time since July 30 while the S&P 500 broke above 3,000 for the first time since July 31.
Chip maker stocks such as Micron Technology, Advanced Micro Devices and Skyworks Solutions all traded at least 0.3% higher in the pre-market. Apple gained 0.5%.
Elsewhere, investors digested the latest decision from policymakers at the European Central Bank. The ECB cut its deposit rate by 10 basis point and launched a new bond buying program. The bank will buy €20 billion worth of assets for as long as needed.
President Donald Trump agreed to delay an additional increase in tariffs on Chinese goods by two weeks “as a gesture of good will.” The move raised hopes of a thaw in trade frictions between the world's two largest economies.
Overseas, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.8% Thursday, while in the Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index slipped 0.3%
Oil prices faded 61 cents to $55.14 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices improved $16.90 to $1,520.10 U.S. an ounce.