Major U.S. stock-indexes little changed on Thursday, as bank stocks climbed amid signs of strength in the labor market and a near-certain interest rate hike. The S&P financial index .SPSY rose 0.6 percent as investors turned their attention to a crucial nonfarm payrolls report on Friday that would bolster already sky-high odds of a rate hike during the Federal Reserve's meeting on March 14-15.

Most of Dow stocks in negative area (17 of 30). Top loser - Caterpillar Inc. (CAT, -2.02%). Top gainer - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ, +1.35%).

S&P sectors mixed. Top loser - Conglomerates (-1.3%). Top gainer - Healthcare (+0.6%).

At the moment:

Dow 20815.00 -8.00 -0.04%

S&P 500 2361.75 +0.75 +0.03%

Nasdaq 100 5368.50 +1.50 +0.03%

Oil 48.96 -1.32 -2.63%

Gold 1203.40 -6.00 -0.50%

U.S. 10yr 2.58 +0.03