Investing.com - U.S. stock markets opened lower on Thursday, after a report showed that the number of people filing for initial jobless claims rose-more-than-expected last week.
Sentiment remained on the back foot after minutes from the Federal Reserve’s most recent policy-setting meeting showed the central bank is considering ending its bond-buying program sooner-than-expected.
During early U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, the S&P 500 index dipped 0.45%, while the Nasdaq Composite index declined 0.4%.
The U.S. Department of Labor said earlier that the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending February 16 rose by 20,000 to a seasonally adjusted 362,000, compared to expectations for an increase of 13,000 to 355,000.
A separate report showed that consumer prices were flat for a second consecutive month in January, while core prices, excluding food and energy costs, rose 0.3% in January, compared to expectations for a 0.2% increase.
Market players now looked ahead to data on U.S. existing home sales and a report on manufacturing activity in Philadelphia later in the session as investors seek more cues on the country's economic health.
Shares in raw material producers were broadly lower, tracking sharp losses in commodity prices. U.S. listed shares of mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto retreated 2.3% and 2.4% respectively, while Freeport McMoran Copper & gold shed 1.2%.
Financial sector stocks also contributed to losses, with Citigroup shares down 2%, Bank of America losing 1.3% and Goldman Sachs falling 1.2%.
In earnings news, Tesla Motors saw shares tumble 6.1% after reporting a larger-than-expected fourth-quarter adjusted loss after Wednesday’s closing bell.
Wal-Mart saw shares jump 1.2% after the retail giant reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings, despite missing on revenue figures.
Other stocks in focus included insurance giant American International Group and computer-maker Hewlett-Packard, which were both slated to report earnings after Thursday’s closing bell.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were sharply lower, as market sentiment was hit by fresh concerns over the deteriorating economic situation in the euro zone.
The EURO STOXX 50 lost 1.9%, France’s CAC 40 fell 1.8%, Germany's DAX tumbled 1.8%, while Britain's FTSE 100 retreated 1.5%.
Traders also remained wary ahead of the upcoming Italian general elections over the weekend, amid concerns that a hung parliament could hamper ongoing efforts at economic reforms.
Sentiment remained on the back foot after minutes from the Federal Reserve’s most recent policy-setting meeting showed the central bank is considering ending its bond-buying program sooner-than-expected.
During early U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, the S&P 500 index dipped 0.45%, while the Nasdaq Composite index declined 0.4%.
The U.S. Department of Labor said earlier that the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending February 16 rose by 20,000 to a seasonally adjusted 362,000, compared to expectations for an increase of 13,000 to 355,000.
A separate report showed that consumer prices were flat for a second consecutive month in January, while core prices, excluding food and energy costs, rose 0.3% in January, compared to expectations for a 0.2% increase.
Market players now looked ahead to data on U.S. existing home sales and a report on manufacturing activity in Philadelphia later in the session as investors seek more cues on the country's economic health.
Shares in raw material producers were broadly lower, tracking sharp losses in commodity prices. U.S. listed shares of mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto retreated 2.3% and 2.4% respectively, while Freeport McMoran Copper & gold shed 1.2%.
Financial sector stocks also contributed to losses, with Citigroup shares down 2%, Bank of America losing 1.3% and Goldman Sachs falling 1.2%.
In earnings news, Tesla Motors saw shares tumble 6.1% after reporting a larger-than-expected fourth-quarter adjusted loss after Wednesday’s closing bell.
Wal-Mart saw shares jump 1.2% after the retail giant reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings, despite missing on revenue figures.
Other stocks in focus included insurance giant American International Group and computer-maker Hewlett-Packard, which were both slated to report earnings after Thursday’s closing bell.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were sharply lower, as market sentiment was hit by fresh concerns over the deteriorating economic situation in the euro zone.
The EURO STOXX 50 lost 1.9%, France’s CAC 40 fell 1.8%, Germany's DAX tumbled 1.8%, while Britain's FTSE 100 retreated 1.5%.
Traders also remained wary ahead of the upcoming Italian general elections over the weekend, amid concerns that a hung parliament could hamper ongoing efforts at economic reforms.