Major U.S. stock-indexes slightly lower in late morning trading on Thursday as investors parsed a barrage of economic data and awaited the monthly jobs report. Earlier in the day, data showed weekly jobless claims rose unexpectedly, but the underlying trend continued to point to a strengthening labor market. The data comes ahead of the comprehensive labor report for February on Friday. The report is expected to show an addition of 190,000 jobs, compared with 151,000 in January.

Most of Dow stocks in negative area (22 of 30). Top looser McDonald's Corp. (MCD, -2,22%). Top gainer - Caterpillar Inc. (CAT, +2,22%).

S&P sectors mixed. Top looser - Conglomerates (-3,1%). Top gainer - Basic Materials (+0,7%).

At the moment:

Dow 16814.00 -54.00 -0.32%

S&P 500 1977.75 -5.75 -0.29%

Nasdaq 100 4303.25 -26.00 -0.60%

Oil 34.50 -0.16 -0.46%

Gold 1257.50 +15.70 +1.26%

U.S. 10yr 1.82 -0.03