Jobless Claims and Airline Results Shape Thursday’s U.S. Market Agenda

The S&P 500 posted its third consecutive daily gain Wednesday, before Thursday’s U.S. schedule combines a weekly labor indicator with earnings from two airlines.

Initial jobless claims are due at 8:30 a.m. ET (12:30 UTC), with a consensus estimate of 200,000.

American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are scheduled to report results Thursday. American CEO Robert Isom is set for the 7 a.m. ET hour (11:00-12:00 UTC), and Southwest CEO Bob Jordan for the 8 a.m. ET hour (12:00-13:00 UTC); both appearances follow their companies’ earnings releases. American shares are down 20% over three months and 35% from their July high. Southwest shares are down 18% over three months and 27% from their February high.

Tesla’s earnings topped expectations Wednesday, while its capital spending more than doubled from a year earlier. Shares fell 3% in after-hours trading after gaining about 9% in three days. They remain 22% below a high reached Dec. 22.

Boston Beer is scheduled to report after the market closes Thursday. Its shares have gained 6% over three months but remain 31% below their April high.