US stocks lower ahead of key jobs figures

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - US stocks were in negative territory Thursday, one day before the release of key jobs figures.

The Dow was down 134 points, or 0.41%, to 33,995 at 10.43 a.m. EDT, while the S&P 500 was 30 points in the red, or 0.72%, to 4,231.

The Nasdaq, meanwhile, fell 137 points, or 1.04%, to 13,101.

The US economy added 187,000 jobs in August, higher estimates, but the unemployment rate jumped to 3.8%.

Figures for September will be released early Friday. The expectation for job gains is 170,000 and the unemployment rate is estimated to fall to 3.7%.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, rose 3.8% to 19.28. The 10-year US Treasury yield remained steady at 4.733%.

The dollar index was down 0.16% to 106.63, while the euro increased 0.16% to $1.0520 against the greenback.

Precious metals were in negative territory, with gold trimming 0.16% to $1,818 an ounce and silver falling 0.62% to $20.87.

Oil prices fell around 0.2% with global benchmark Brent crude at $85.56 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate at $84.09.