US stock markets are likely to open positive on Thursday, amid optimism that the world's largest economy will be able to cope with higher interest rates from next year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average went up 0.32% to trade at 17,124. The S&P 500 futures gained 0.39% to trade at 2,001.4. Nasdaq composite index futures increased 0.38% to trade at 4,080.75 (04:20 p.m., IST).

On Wednesday, US stock markets settled marginally highe. The Dow Jones Industrial Average went up 24.88 points or 0.15 percent to settle at 17,156.85. NASDAQ 100 index rose 6.29 points or 0.15 percent to close at 4,073.57. S&P 500 index went up 2.59 points or 0.13 percent to end at 2,001.57.