Dow Jones ticks lower as investors anticipate monthly jobs data

Most US indices closed Thursday on a positive note as investors anticipate the monthly jobs data, slated to be released on Friday. The January jobs report is expected to show hiring slowed to start 2025.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, or 125 points, to settle at 44,747 points.

The S&P 500 index rose 0.35%, or 22 points, to 6,083 points. Similarly, Nasdaq Composite gained 0.5%, or 99 points, to close at 19,791 points.

As for European markets, the STOXX Europe 600 leapt 1.15% to 544.8 points, its highest ever level.

The British FTSE index soared 1.2% to 8,727 points, while the German DAX index was up 1.45% to 21,902 points. The French CAC 40 index rose nearly 1.45% to 8,007 points.

The Nikkei index advanced 0.6% to 39,066 points, and the broader Topix index gained 0.25% to 2,752 points.

Brent crude futures for April delivery dropped 0.45%, or $0.32, to $74.29 per barrel. The US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for March delivery also fell 0.6%, or $0.42, to $70.61 per barrel.

Regarding gold, futures prices for February delivery were down 0.55%, or $16.9, to $2,276.7 per ounce, reversing a four-session winning streak.