US STOCKS-Wall St set to fall as trade tensions add to virus woes

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* U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo takes new jab at
Beijing
* Weak retail earnings add to concerns
* Futures down: Dow 0.46%, S&P 0.46%, Nasdaq 0.33%

(Adds details, comments, updates prices)
By Ambar Warrick and Medha Singh
May 21 (Reuters) - U.S. stock indexes eyed a weaker open on
Thursday as growing Sino-U.S. tensions and weak retail earnings
added to worries about the pace of a recovery from a
coronavirus-fueled economic slump.
Tensions between the world's two biggest economies over the
origin of the novel coronavirus, which had slowed a Wall Street
rally this month, rose to the forefront after U.S. Secretary of
State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday further criticized Beijing's
handling of the outbreak. "Investors are concerned that the reopening optimism is
starting to fade and focus shifts back to the world's two
largest economies," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at
OANDA.
"Everyone is focused on where the narrative is going to go
between China and the United States with both pointing fingers
as far as who is responsible for the handling of the coronavirus
and also to living up to the phase one trade deal."
Weak earnings from popular retailers also undercut optimism
over economic recovery, with Macy's Inc M.N edging lower in
premarket trade after forecasting a quarterly operating loss of
up to $1.11 billion due to store closures amid virus-related
lockdowns. Best Buy Co Inc BBY.N dropped 3.4% as the electronics
retailer reported a 5.3% fall in quarterly same-store sales due
to the virus, while L Brands Inc LB.N posted
worse-than-expected quarterly results. Data from the Labor Department showed that more than 2.4
million Americans applied for unemployment benefits over the
past week, down from the previous reading of 2.7 million.
Claims have gradually declined since hitting a record 6.9
million in the week ended March 28, and Thursday's report could
offer early clues on how quickly businesses re-hire as they
reopen.
At 7:52 a.m. ET, Dow e-minis 1YMcv1 were down 114 points,
or 0.46%. S&P 500 e-minis EScv1 were down 13.75 points, or
0.46% and Nasdaq 100 e-minis NQcv1 were down 31.5 points, or
0.33%.
The benchmark S&P 500 .SPX closed at a 2-1/2 month high on
Wednesday, more than 35% above lows hit in March. Markets are
watching for the index to breach 3,000 points, which analysts
believe could help restore some confidence and invite more money
into equities.
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc TTWO.O dropped 4.0%
after the videogame publisher's forecast for full-year revenue
fell short of expectations.