Major U.S. stock-indexes little changed on Thursday as strong private sector employment data and a drop in jobless claims pointed to a steadying labor market ahead of the monthly payrolls report on Friday. The ADP national employment report showed that 172,000 jobs were added in the private sector in June, compared to economists' expectation of 159,000. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits also fell unexpectedly last week, confirming that the labor market remains on solid footing despite tepid job gains in May. Claims fell to 254,000 in the week ended July 2, compared with expectations of 270,000

Dow stocks mixed (14 in positive area, 16 in negative). Top looser - Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ, -1,09%). Top gainer - Visa Inc. (V, +1,13%).

Most of S&P sectors in positive area. Top looser - Utilities (-1,5%). Top gainer - Conglomerates (+0,5%).

At the moment:

Dow 17822.00 -12.00 -0.07%

S&P 500 2093.00 -1.00 -0.05%

Nasdaq 100 4443.75 +4.25 +0.10%

Oil 46.52 -0.91 -1.92%

Gold 1356.20 -10.90 -0.80%

U.S. 10yr 1.40 +0.01