US stocks mixed as economy adds more jobs than estimates, unemployment falls

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) – US stock exchanges opened Friday mixed after the American economy added more jobs than market estimates in November, but the unemployment rate showed a decline.

The Dow Jones was up 28 points, or 0.08%, to 36,146 at 9.46 a.m. EDT. The S&P 500, however, was flat by adding just two points, or 0.05%, to 4,588.

The Nasdaq, on the other hand, decreased 20 points, or 0.14%, to 14,320.

American economy added 199,000 jobs in November, more than the market expectation of 180,000, according to the Labor Department figures released earlier. The unemployment rate fell to 3.7% in November, from 3.9% in October.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, was down 2.2% to 12.77 at the time. The 10-year US Treasury yield jumped 2.6% to 4.229%.

The dollar index increased 0.56% to 104.12, while the euro shed 0.4% to $1.0750 against the greenback.

Precious metals were in negative territory, with gold losing 0.9% to $2,010 per ounce and silver trimming 1.9% to $23.34.

Oil prices rose around 1.7%, with global benchmark Brent crude at $75.34 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude at $70.60.