Stocks poised to climb ahead of revised GDP report

NEW YORK – Stocks appear headed for a third straight day of gains, ahead of the final look at economic growth at the end of last year.

The government will release its revised report on gross domestic product in the fourth quarter of 2010 on Friday morning. Economists expect the economy expanded at an annual rate of 3 percent. That's slightly higher than the estimate made last month.

Stronger earnings and signs of a stronger job market lifted stocks Thursday. The four-week average of unemployment applications has dropped to its lowest level since July 2008.

Before the opening bell, Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 37 points, or 0.3 percent, to 12,153. S&P 500 futures are up 4, or 0.3 percent, to 1,309. Nasdaq 100 futures are up 9, or 0.4 percent, to 2,318.