U.S. stock futures trimmed gains after government data showed retail sales trailed projections and jobless claims increased more than forecast, damping optimism in the economic outlook.

Jobless claims climbed  to 399К in the week ended Jan. 7. The median forecast of economists  projected 375,000. Retail sales climbed 0.1% in December. Economists forecast a 0.3%. 

U.S. futures followed European shares higher earlier today as Spain sold 10 billion euros ($13 billion) of bonds, twice the target for the sale, while Italy sold 12 billion euros of bills, easing concerns the countries would struggle to finance their debts. The European Central Bank held interest rates steady after two straight cuts as signs of respite from the sovereign debt crisis gave it scope to pause.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei   8,386 -62.29 -0.74%

Hang Seng 19,095 -56.56 -0.30%

Shanghai Composite 2,275 -1.04 -0.05% 

FTSE   5,669 -2.21 -0.04% 

CAC  3,225 +20.20 +0.63% 

DAX 6,209 +56.37 +0.92% 

Crude oil: $101.48  (+0,6%).

Gold: $1654.70  (+0,9%).