US stock futures moved modestly higher Thursday as investors sought new catalysts at the start of the month while elevated oil prices and Treasury yields continued to pressure markets. Dow futures rose about 0.2%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures each added roughly 0.3%. The gains followed Wednesday declines of 0.86% for the Dow and 0.25% for the S&P 500, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.24%. Financial and industrial stocks weighed on the broader market as rising Treasury yields reflected concerns over persistent energy-driven inflation and limited progress in US-Iran negotiations. Core PCE inflation, the Federal Reserve's preferred underlying price gauge, rose a smaller-than-expected 0.2% in August, supporting hopes that the central bank will refrain from raising rates in October. Investors are awaiting weekly jobless claims Thursday, the September jobs report Friday and earnings from Nike, McCormick and Acuity Brands.