US stocks close with gains before key jobs figures

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) – US stock exchanges closed with gains on Thursday, the day before the release of key jobs figures.

The Dow Jones was up almost 63 points, or 0.17%, to finish at 36,117. The S&P 500 added 36 points, or 0.8%, to 4,585.

The Nasdaq, meanwhile, jumped 193 points, or 1.37%, to end the session at almost 14,340.

Nonfarm payrolls and unemployment rate for November will be released before market opening on Friday.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, was up 0.6% to 13.06. The 10-year US Treasury yield rose 0.6% to 4.144%.

The dollar index decreased 0.5% to 103.60, while the euro added 0.3% to $1.0792 against the greenback.

Precious metals were mixed, with gold adding 0.2% to $2,030 per ounce but silver decreasing 0.5% to $23.78.

Oil prices were up around 0.3%, with global benchmark Brent crude at $74.44 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude at $69.66.