Off the wire
• S. African Presidency concerned over "public attacks" on Zuma by mine bosses  • UN chief appeals for global solidarity in tackling migrant crisis  • S. Africa's Wits University to hold assembly on reopening class  • Iran defeats Uzbekistan 1-0 in World Cup qualifier  • World food prices climb again as milk, sugar prices surge: FAO  • Spotlight: UN Security Council recommends General Assembly appoint Guterres next UN chief  • Obama administration to continue investment treaty talks with China: treasury secretary  • EU donates 13.4 million USD to rebuild refugee camp in Lebanon  • Pakistani parliament passes law against honour killings  • 300,000 immigrated children registered in German schools in past academic year  
You are here: 　 Home

U.S. stocks mixed ahead of nonfarm payrolls

Xinhua, October 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

U.S. stocks ended mixed on Thursday as investors were awaiting the closely-watched nonfarm payroll report due Friday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 12.53 points, or 0.07 percent, to 18,268.50. The S&P 500 gained 1.04 points, or 0.05 percent, to 2,160.77. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 9.17 points, or 0.17 percent, to 5,306.85.

On the economic front, initial claims for U.S. unemployment benefits declined 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 249,000 for the week ended Oct. 1, lower than market consensus of 256,000, said the Labor Department on Thursday.

The upbeat jobs data bolstered investors' speculation of an interest rate-hike by year-end, which weighed on the market on Thursday.

Traders will keep a close eye on Friday's nonfarm jobs report for more clues on the central bank's next move.

Wall Street also looked into oil prices, as U.S. crude rose 1.22 percent to 50.44 U.S. dollars a barrel after official data showed a surprise weekly drawdown in U.S. crude inventories. Enditem