US equity futures posted gains ahead of Thursday's opening bell, with futures of technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite outperforming other major benchmarks following an upbeat Q3 results and forecast from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gained 0.2%, S&P 500 futures rose 0.5%, and Nasdaq futures were up 0.9%.

Taiwan Semiconductor reported early Thursday Q3 earnings and revenue that topped analysts' estimates and issued Q4 revenue guidance that was also above Street projections.

Oil prices turned higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.4% at $74.53 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.6% higher at $70.83 per barrel.

New unemployment claims, released at 8:30 am ET, dropped to 241,000 in the week ended Oct. 12 from 260,000 claims in the preceding week, compared with estimates compiled by Bloomberg for a smaller drop to 258,000. Retail sales rose by 0.4% in September after the prior month's 0.1% uptick, compared with estimates for a 0.3% increase.

Industrial production, due at 9:15 am ET, are seen dropping by 0.1% in September versus a 0.8% increase in August.

Business inventories, slated for 10 am ET, are seen rising 0.3% in August versus July's 0.4% increase. Forecasters see the US housing market index increasing to 43 in October from 41 in September.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.7% lower, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 1% lower, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 1.1% lower. Meanwhile, UK's FTSE 100 gained 0.5%, and Germany's DAX index rose 0.6% in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, Taiwan Semiconductor shares surged 9%. Alcoa (AA) shares rose 1% after the company reported it swung to a net profit in Q1 on higher sales. ShiftPixy (PIXY) shares soared 210% on a planned $150 million acquisition of TurboScale.

On the losing side, Capricor Therapeutics (CAPR) shares fell 8% after the company priced a $75 million common stock offering.