Global Stocks: U.S. stock indices posted mixed results

U.S. stock indices traded mixed on Thursday ahead of a key jobs report, which will be released today.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 23.38 points, or 0.1%, to 16,374.76. The S&P 500 added 2.27 points, or 0.1%, to 1,951.13. The Nasdaq Composite lost 16.48 points, or 0.4%, to 4,733.50.

U.S. Department of Labor reported on Thursday that the number of initial jobless claims rose in the week ended August 29, but remained at a historically low level. Initial claims rose by 12,000 to 282,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis. Economists had expected 275,000 claims. The index has been below a psychological level of 300,000 for 26 weeks. However this is the fifth rise in six weeks.

Meanwhile activity in the non-manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy weakened in August. The Non-manufacturing index by the Institute for Supply Management slid to 59.0 from 60.3 reported previously. Analysts expected the index to decline to 58.1.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng lost 0.60%, or 125.44 points, to 20,809.50. The Nikkei fell 2.40%, or 435.97 points, to 17,746.42. Chinese markets are on holiday.

Asian stock indices declined ahead of U.S. payrolls data. According to a median forecast, the U.S. economy generated 220,000 jobs in August compared to +215,000 in July.