US stock market opens lower

NEW YORK (AA) – The stock market opened lower Thursday as investors worry over non-farm payrolls data which will be announced on Friday.

The Dow Jones was down 39 points to begin the day at 18,241, the S&P lost three points to start at 2,156 and the Nasdaq lost 11 points to open at 5,304.

The markets and investors are focused on the non-farm payrolls data, which if they come in as projected or better than expected, could increase the likelihood of the Federal Reserve increasing its benchmark interest rate this year. Experts warn that if this happens, a sell-off in the U.S. stock market could occur.