Major U.S. stock-indexes fell on Thursday. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits held at a 43-year low last week, pointing to sustained labor market strength that could pave the way for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in December. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits were unchanged at a seasonally adjusted 246,000 for the week ended Oct. 8, the lowest reading since November 1973, the Labor Department said. Claims for the prior week were revised to show 3,000 fewer applications received than previously reported.

Most of Dow stocks in negative area (28 of 30). Top gainer - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT, +1.38%). Top loser - Chevron Corporation (CVX, -2.29%).

Almost all S&P sectors in negative area. Top gainer - Utilities (+0.8%). Top loser - Basic Materials (-1.7%).

At the moment:

Dow 17914.00 -139.00 -0.77%

S&P 500 2117.25 -14.25 -0.67%

Nasdaq 100 4778.25 -35.25 -0.73%

Oil 49.81 -0.37 -0.74%

Gold 1259.00 +5.20 +0.41%

U.S. 10yr 1.74 -0.04