Stocks: New records in sight?

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NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

After the Dow Jones industrial average hit a record close Wednesday, another stream of earnings could encourage investors to push markets to new heights.

U.S. stock futures were edging into positive territory Thursday, as investors await quarterly reports from a number of blue-chip companies.

Domino's Pizza (DPZ), Exxon Mobil (XOM, Fortune 500), Kellogg (K, Fortune 500), MasterCard (MA, Fortune 500), Viacom (VIA) and T-Mobile (TMUS) will all report earnings before the bell. LinkedIn (LNKD) and Kraft Foods (KRFT, Fortune 500) are set to report after the close, among others.

Economic data may also set the tone on Wall Street. The U.S. government will publish its initial jobless claims report and personal income and spending numbers at 8:30 a.m. ET. The ISM manufacturing index will come out at 10 a.m. ET. The Commerce Department will then release auto sales data in the afternoon.

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U.S. stocks closed higher Wednesday. The benchmark Dow index closed at a record high of 16,580. The S&P 500 ended just shy of a record close, and the Nasdaq also ended the day higher, though the gains were modest.

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Most of the major European markets were closed for a holiday Thursday, but the U.K. exchanges were open. The benchmark FTSE 100 index was edging up, led by Lloyds Banking Group (LLDTF). The British bank reported first quarter results that impressed investors.

Most Asian markets were also closed, but Japan and Australia were open for business. Japan's Nikkei index popped up by 1.3%, Australia's ASX All Ordinaries index dipped by 0.7%.