S&P 500 ends lower for 3rd session ahead of jobs report

US stock indices saw selloffs as uncertainty grew regarding the outlook of the US economy, amid conflicting economic data on the labor market, shifting focus towards the monthly jobs report to be released on Sept. 6

The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.55%, or 219 points, to settle at 40,755 points. The industrial index hit 41,084 during the session.

The S&P 500 index edged down 0.3%, 0r 16 points, to 5,503 points, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 0.25%, or 43 points, to 17,127 points.

As for European markets, the STOXX Europe 600 shed 0.55% to 512 points, the lowest close since Aug. 16 (511.4 points).

The FTSE index was down 0.35% to 8,241 points. France’s CAC 40 eased 0.9% to 7,431 points. Germany’s DAX index also lost 0.1% to 18,576 points.

In Japan, the Nikkei index closed 1%, or 390 points, lower at 36,657. The broader Topix index inched down 0.5% to 2,620 points.

In the oil market, Brent crude futures for November delivery remained stable at $72.69 a barrel.

Meanwhile, US WTI crude futures for October delivery settled at $69.15 a barrel.

As for gold, prices of the yellow metal's futures for December delivery rose by 0.7%, or $17.1, to $2,543.10 per ounce.

While the US private sector added fewer jobs than expected in August, marking the slowest pace in nearly four years, the number of jobless claims reached its lowest level in eight weeks, indicating continued momentum in the US labor market.