U.S. stock-index futures advanced further Thursday after two economic reports were optimistic regarding housing and jobs markets.

Dow Jones industrial futures rose 39 points to 13,476. The broader S&P futures added 6.7 points to 1,472.30. Nasdaq futures rose 13.5 points to 2,739.50.

The report capped off the best year for home construction since the real estate meltdown. Builders broke ground on houses and apartments at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 954,000, up 12.1 percent from November.

The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly unemployment benefit applications fell 37,000 to a seasonally adjusted 335,000. That's comparable to numbers seen just after the recession began.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average were up 38 points to 13,475. Futures for the S&P 500 added 6.4 points to 1,472. Those for the Nasdaq 100 climbed 13.25 points to 2,739.25.