Futures point higher; Oil, US data eyed amid Greece

U.S. stock index futures signaled a higher open on Thursday, ahead of key media company earnings and after the European Central Bank (ECB) put more pressure on Greece's new government.

Futures were also encouraged by a positive turn in oil by more than 2.5 percent after Wednesday's nearly 9 percent plunge.

The gains came as European equities moved lower, after the ECB took a hard line on Greek debt Wednesday, revoking a waiver that allowed banks to use Greek government debt as collateral for loans.

Futures extended gains slightly after digesting U.S. economic data. Weekly jobless claims came in at 278,000, below estimates of 290,000 and above last week's 267,000 figure.

The U.S. trade deficit for December widened sharply to its highest level since 2012. The Commerce Department said on Thursday the trade deficit jumped 17.1 percent to $46.6 billion, the largest since November 2012. It was the biggest percentage increase since July 2009.

On the earnings front, Twitter, News Corporation, LinkedIn, video game maker Activision Blizzard, entertainment firm Lionsgate, GoPro and CME Group are among the companies due to report after the bell.