Stock futures flexed higher, suggesting a strong open Thursday, in spite of a disappointing weekly unemployment report. Dow futures were up 36 points and rising. Nasdaq 100 futures gained 16.25 points, aided by a 2% premarket gain by Apple (AAPL). S&P 500 futures held a solid 6.25 point advance. Initial jobless claims rose to 371,000 in the week ended Jan. 5 vs. a downwardly revised 367,000 claims in the prior week, the Labor Department reported.