Major U.S. stock-indexes started the last quarter of the year in the red on Thursday as Apple fell and investors parsed mixed U.S. data. Apple was down 2% on a report that chip suppliers were concerned the iPhone maker would cut chip orders for the fourth quarter. The stock was the biggest drag on the three major indexes. The Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) index of national factory activity fell to 50.2 in September, its lowest since May 2013. New jobless claims rose modestly last week but remained near 15-year lows. Also, a gauge of the trend in claims fell. Mixed signals from the data could complicate the Federal Reserve's plans to raise interest rates this year.

Almost all of Dow stocks in negative area (29 of 30). Top looser - Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO, -2.53%). Top gainer - Pfizer Inc. (PFE, +0.45%).

All of S&P index sectors in negative area. Top looser - Industrial Goods (-1.2%).

At the moment:

Dow 16001.00 -171.00 -1.06%

S&P 500 1894.00 -14.75 -0.77%

Nasdaq 100 4127.50 -35.50 -0.85%

10 Year yield 2,03% -0,03

Oil 44.99 -0.10 -0.22%

Gold 1114.20 -1.00 -0.09%