Major US stock indexes fell on Thursday after data pointed to slowing jobs growth in June. The number of Americans who first applied for unemployment benefits rose last week, but the level remains historically low. In the United States, employers have continued to add jobs in June, but wages remained unchanged, and the level of participation has fallen, suggesting that signs of weakness remain in the labor market. The number of people employed in non-agricultural sectors of the economy increased from a seasonally adjusted 223,000 in June, the Labor Department said Thursday. This revised earlier data showed a weak job creation this spring than originally anticipated. Employers added 254,000 jobs in May compared with the initially reported 280 000. The April gain was revised up to 187,000 from 221,000.

However, initial applications for unemployment benefits, an indicator of layoffs throughout the US economy has increased by 10,000 and reached a seasonally adjusted 281,000 in the week ended June 27. Economists expected 270,000 initial claims last week. The level of applications in the previous week remained unchanged at 271 000. The Labor Department said that no special factors did not affect the latest data on applications.

It should also be noted that US factory orders fell in May, the most in three months, while the key category indicates that business investment plans fell for a second month in a row. Factory orders fell by 1% in May from April, when orders fell by 0.7%. Orders in the category, which serves as an indicator of business investment decreased by 0.4% after a 0.7% decrease in April.

Most components of the index DOW finished trading in negative territory (16 of 30). Outsider shares were EI du Pont de Nemours and Company (DD, -2.21%). Most remaining shares rose Intel Corporation (INTC, + 1.47%).

Sector of the S & P closed mostly below zero. Outsiders were conglomerates sector (-1.6%). Most of the basic materials sector increased (+ 0.8%).

At the close:

Dow -0.16% 17,729.08 -28.83

Nasdaq -0.08% 5,009.21 -3.91

S & P -0.04% 2,076.67 -0.75

Stock indices closed mixed on the uncertainty over Greece's debt crisis. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in a speech on Wednesday that Greeks should vote "no" in Sunday's referendum. He added that "no" would not mean that Greece have to leave the Eurozone.

The head of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem said on Thursday that if Greeks vote "No" on Sunday, it could mean that Greece have to leave the Eurozone. He added that Greeks should not expect better conditions if they vote "No".

Greek Finance Minister Yannis Varoufakis signalled on Thursday that he will resign if Greeks vote "Yes" in the referendum on Sunday.

Earlier, he said that a deal with Greece's creditors on Monday.

Meanwhile, the producer price inflation in the Eurozone improved slightly in May. Eurozone's producer price index was flat in May, missing expectations for a 0.1% increase, after a 0.1% decline in April.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's producer price index dropped 2.0% in May, in line with expectations, after a 2.2% fall in April.

Eurozone's producer prices excluding energy fell 0.3% year-on-year in May. Energy prices dropped 6.4%.

The European Central Bank's (ECB) its minutes of March meeting on Thursday. According to the minutes, the ECB said in its minutes that there is no need to increase its bond-buying programme. The central bank added that it could adjust its bond-buying programme if needed.

The ECB wants to "look through recent volatility in financial markets and maintain a steady monetary policy course.

The ECB Chief Economist Peter Praet said that Eurozone's economy continued to improve.

Markit's and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply's construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. increased to 58.1 in June from 55.9 in May, exceeding expectations for a rise to 56.5.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the construction sector.

The increase was driven by a rise in the house-building sector, but both commercial and civil engineering activity also increased.

The Nationwide Building Society released its house prices data for the U.K. on Thursday. UK house prices declined 0.2% in June, missing expectations for a 0.5 percent rise, after a 0.2% rise in May. May's figure was revised down from a 0.3% increase.

On a yearly basis, house prices fell to 3.3% in June from 4.6 percent in May, missing forecast of a 4.3% gain.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,630.47 +21.88 +0.33 %

DAX 11,099.35 -81.15 -0.73 %

CAC 40 4,835.56 -47.63 -0.98 %

Polish equity market finished Thursday on a positive note, with the broad market benchmark, the WIG Index, inching up 0.15 %. 8 out of 11 sectors in the WIG Index increased, led by information technology sector stocks, which rose by 2.15%.

The WIG30 Index of the largest listed companies added 0.19%. Within the Index components, the advancers pack was led by coal miner BOGDANKA (WSE: LWB) with gains of 4.38%, followed by ASSECO POLAND (WSE: ACP), which soared 3.88%. Quotations of PGNIG (WSE: PGN), ORANGE POLSKA (WSE: OPL) and TVN (WSE: TVN) also were on upstream, recording gains of 2.44%, 2.33% and 2.31% respectively. On the contrary, banking stocks PEKAO (WSE: PEO), MBANK (WSE: MBK), BZ WBK (WSE: BZW), ALIOR (WSE: ALR) and PKO BP (WSE: PKO), as well as utilities name ENEA (WSE: ENA) were the weakest performers, suffering losses of 1.59%-2.18%.

U.S. stocks slightly fell on Thursday after data showed job growth slowed in June.

Nonfarm payrolls increased 223,000 last month, below the 230,000 that economists polled by Reuters had expected.

Most of Dow stocks in positive area (19 of 30). Top looser - E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DD, -1.33%). Top looser - Intel Corporation (INTC, +1.92).

S&P index sectors mixed. Top gainer - Basic materials (+1,0%). Top looser - Services (-0.2%).

At the moment:

Dow 17642.00 -29.00 -0.16%

S&P 500 2067.00 -4.00 -0.19%

Nasdaq 100 4414.25 -7.75 -0.18%

10-year yield 2.38% -0.04

Oil 57.82 +0.86 +1.51%

Gold 1162.30 -7.00 -0.60%

The European Central Bank's (ECB) its minutes of March meeting on Thursday. According to the minutes, the ECB said in its minutes that there is no need to increase its bond-buying programme. The central bank added that it could adjust its bond-buying programme if needed.

The ECB wants to "look through recent volatility in financial markets and maintain a steady monetary policy course.

"As stated on previous occasions, the design of the APP (Asset Purchase Programme) provided sufficient flexibility for it to be adapted if circumstances were to change and should the need arise," the central bank said.

The ECB Chief Economist Peter Praet said that Eurozone's economy continued to improve.

The ECB decided on January 22 to launch an expanded asset purchase programme of 60 billion euro a month starting from March 2015 until September 2016.

The head of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem said on Thursday that if Greeks vote "No" on Sunday, it could mean that Greece have to leave the Eurozone. He added that Greeks should not expect better conditions if they vote "No".

"One illusion must be swept from the table: that if the outcome is negative then everything can be renegotiated and you will end up with an easier and more attractive package," Dijsselbloem said.

"If people say they don't want that, there is not only no basis for a new programme, there is also no basis for Greece in the euro zone," the head of the Eurogroup pointed out.

Dijsselbloem noted that Eurozone countries will help Greece if Greeks vote "Yes" on Sunday.

The U.S. Commerce Department released factory orders data on Thursday. Factory orders in the U.S. declined 1.0% in May, missing expectations for a 0.5% fall, after a 0.7% decrease in April. April's figure was revised down from a 0.4% decline.

The drop was driven by lower orders for durable goods, which declined by 2.2% in May.

Non-durable goods orders were up 0.2% in May.

Orders for transportation equipment plunged by 6.5% in May.

The European Central Bank (ECB) decided not to raise the amount of emergency funding (ELA) on Wednesday. The amount the Greek central bank can lend its banks totals around €89 billion.

The ECB wants to await the outcome of the Sunday's referendum.

The Greek government last Sunday announced its decision to shut the country's banks and to impose capital controls to avert the collapse of its financial system. Banks will be closed until July 06.

Daily cash withdrawals has been limited to 60 euros and payments and transfers abroad has been banned.

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday that Greece should implement economic reforms before debt relief.

"Given where we are, my suspicion is it would be much preferable to see a deliberate move towards reforms (and) for that to be followed through by the other side of the balance," she said.

Resistance 3: $1205 (MA(200) for D1, June high)

Resistance 2: $1192 (MA(50) for D1)

Resistance 1: $1180 (MA(20) for D1)

Current price: $1165.40 (-0.34%)

Support 1: $1160/57 (Mar 17 high, Jul 2 low)

Support 2: $1142 (low of March)

Support 3: $1132 (low of November)

U.S. stock-index futures edged higher on Thursday as investors digested weaker-than-expected monthly jobs report along with weekly jobless claims.

Nikkei 20,522.5 +193.18 +0.95%

Hang Seng 26,282.32 +32.29 +0.12%

Shanghai Composite 3,912.32 -141.38 -3.49%

FTSE 6,629.77 +21.18 +0.32%

CAC 4,871.3 -11.89 -0.24%

DAX 11,180.32 -0.18 0.00%

Crude oil $57.17 (+0.40%)

Gold $1162.10 (-0.61%)

Sweden's central bank unexpectedly lowered its interest rate to -0.35% from -0.25%. The central bank also extended its bond-buying programme by a further SEK45 billion with effect from September and until the end of 2015.

"The Eurozone economy is strengthening, but the past days' events in Greece have created a good deal of uncertainty. Consequences for the Eurozone, and for Sweden, are difficult to estimate," the central bank said.

(company / ticker / price / change, % / volume)

The U.S. Labor Department released the labour market data on Thursday. The U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs in June, missing expectations for a rise of 230,000 jobs, after a gain of 254,000 jobs in May. May's figure was revised down from a rise of 280,000 jobs.

The strongest job gains showed the services sector. Retailers added 33,000 jobs in June, the health-care sector added 40,000, while leisure and hospitality rose by 22,000.

The manufacturing sector added only 4,000 jobs.

The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 5.3% in June from 5.5% in May. It was the lowest level since April 2008.

Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to decline to 5.4%.

The decline was driven by fewer people were looking for work.

Average hourly earnings were flat in June, missing forecast of a 0.2% gain, after a 0.2% rise in May. May's figure was revised down from a 0.3% increase.

The labour-force participation rate plunged to 62.6% in June from 62.9% in May. It was the lowest level since October 1977.

These figures are signs that the U.S. job growth slowed. The Fed may delay to hike its interest rate due to the weak wage growth figures and low inflation.

Upgrades:

AT&T (T) upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Cowen

Downgrades:

Other:

Tesla Motors (TSLA) reiterated at an Underperform at BofA/Merrill, target raised to $180 from $65

Starbucks (SBUX) reiterated at Buy at Argus, target raised to $64 from $59

DuPont (DD) reiterated at Sector Perform at RBC Capital Mkts, target lowered from $69 to $64

Verizon (VZ) initiated at Neutral at Buckingham Research, target $51

AT&T (T) initiated at Buy at Buckingham Research, target $41

The U.S. Labor Department released its jobless claims figures on Thursday. The number of initial jobless claims in the week ending June 27 in the U.S. increased by 10,000 to 281,000 from 271,000 in the previous week.

Analysts had expected the number of initial jobless claims to be 270,000.

Jobless claims remained below 300,000 the 17th straight week. This threshold is associated with the strengthening of the labour market.

Continuing jobless claims rose by 15,000 to 2,264,000 in the week ended June 20.

Spain's labour ministry release its labour market figures on Thursday. Jobless claims in Spain declined by 94,727 in June. It was the fifth consecutive decline.

Services showed a drop of 61,887 people in June, while industry and construction a combined 25,845.

There were around 4.12 million people out of work in June.

According to the National Statistics Institute (INE), the unemployment rate in Spain was 23.8% in the first quarter.

Stock indices traded slightly lower on the uncertainty over Greece's debt crisis. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in a speech on Wednesday that Greeks should vote "no" in Sunday's referendum. He added that "no" would not mean that Greece have to leave the Eurozone.

The head of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselboem said after the telephone conference on Wednesday that there is no reason to continue the debt talks before the referendum on Sunday.

Greek Finance Minister Yannis Varoufakis signalled on Thursday that he will resign if Greeks vote "Yes" in the referendum on Sunday.

Earlier, he said that a deal with Greece's creditors on Monday.

Meanwhile, the producer price inflation in the Eurozone improved slightly in May. Eurozone's producer price index was flat in May, missing expectations for a 0.1% increase, after a 0.1% decline in April.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's producer price index dropped 2.0% in May, in line with expectations, after a 2.2% fall in April.

Eurozone's producer prices excluding energy fell 0.3% year-on-year in May. Energy prices dropped 6.4%.

Markit's and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply's construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. increased to 58.1 in June from 55.9 in May, exceeding expectations for a rise to 56.5.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the construction sector.

The increase was driven by a rise in the house-building sector, but both commercial and civil engineering activity also increased.

The Nationwide Building Society released its house prices data for the U.K. on Thursday. UK house prices declined 0.2% in June, missing expectations for a 0.5 percent rise, after a 0.2% rise in May. May's figure was revised down from a 0.3% increase.

On a yearly basis, house prices fell to 3.3% in June from 4.6 percent in May, missing forecast of a 4.3% gain.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,608.4 -0.19 0.00%

DAX 11,162.78 -17.72 -0.16 %

CAC 40 4,874.32 -8.87 -0.18 %

Greek Finance Minister Yannis Varoufakis signalled on Thursday that he will resign if Greeks vote "Yes" in the referendum on Sunday.

Earlier, he said that a deal with Greece's creditors on Monday.

Eurostat released its producer price index for the Eurozone on Thursday. Eurozone's producer price index was flat in May, missing expectations for a 0.1% increase, after a 0.1% decline in April.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's producer price index dropped 2.0% in May, in line with expectations, after a 2.2% fall in April.

Eurozone's producer prices excluding energy fell 0.3% year-on-year in May. Energy prices dropped 6.4%.

Intermediate goods prices declined 0.6% in May, non-durable consumer goods prices decreased by 1.1%, and capital goods prices rose 0.7%, while durable consumer goods prices climbed 0.9%.

The Nationwide Building Society released its house prices data for the U.K. on Thursday. UK house prices declined 0.2% in June, missing expectations for a 0.5 percent rise, after a 0.2% rise in May. May's figure was revised down from a 0.3% increase.

On a yearly basis, house prices fell to 3.3% in June from 4.6 percent in May, missing forecast of a 4.3% gain.

"House price growth continues to outpace earnings, but the gap is closing, helped by a pickup in annual wage growth, which moved up to 2.7% in the three months to April from 1.9% at the start of the year," Nationwide's chief economist, Robert Gardner, said.

Markit's and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply's construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. increased to 58.1 in June from 55.9 in May, exceeding expectations for a rise to 56.5.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the construction sector.

The increase was driven by a rise in the house-building sector, but both commercial and civil engineering activity also increased.

"The extent of the recent rise in construction optimism is partly down to relief that pre-election uncertainty has now passed, but it also suggests that firms are infused with confidence that underlying demand will continue to recover," an economist at financial data company Markit, Tim Moore, said.

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded Greece's government bond rating to Caa3 from Caa2 on Wednesday. The agency placed the rating on review for further downgrade.

Moody's said that it cut the rating because the probability of support continuing to be provided over the medium-term has fallen since April.

"Moody's believes that without ongoing support from official creditors, Greece will default on its privately-held debt. Events of recent months have illustrated the distance between what Greece's official creditors will demand as a condition of continued support over the coming years, and what Greece's institutions are able to do to meet those demands with further meaningful economic and fiscal reforms. This creates significant difficulties for the achievement of a long-lasting support agreement," the agency noted.

Moody's added that a "no" vote in the referendum would increase risk of the exit from the Eurozone which could lead to significant losses on private sector creditors.

The head of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselboem said that there is no reason to continue the debt talks before the referendum on Sunday.

"There will be no talks in the coming days, either at Eurogroup level or between the Greek authorities and the institutions on proposals or financial arrangements. We will simply await now the outcome of the referendum on Sunday and take into account the outcome of that referendum," he said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday that Greece should implement far-reaching reforms to outcome it economic problems.

"We agree that the doors for talks will stay open. But of course a situation is needed where far-reaching reforms get tackled in order to achieve sustainable growth," she said.

Merkel lauded Italy's effort to implement economic reforms.

Asked whether there is a disagreement between Germany and France over when to continue debt talks with Greece, she said that there is "no difference in opinion that talks must be conducted at a certain point and that's what counts".

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its trade data. Australia's trade deficit narrowed to A$2.75 billion in May from A$4.13 billion in April, missing expectations for a decline to a deficit of A$2.2 billion.

April's figure was revised down from a deficit of A$3.89 billion.

Exports rose by 1% in May, while imports dropped by 4%.

U.S. stocks advanced on Wednesday, though by the end of the session they retreated from earlier highs amid declines in energy stocks and absence of clear progress in Greece's debt crisis.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 138.40 points, or 0.8%, to 17757.91. The Nasdaq Composite added 26.26 points, or 0.5%, to 5013.12 and the S&P 500 index gained 14.31 points, or 0.7%, to 2077.42 (data, which showed an increase of U.S. crude stockpiles, pushed energy shares down and wiped out some of the gains of the index).

Investors are waiting for Greek referendum (July the 5th) and U.S. payrolls data (Thursday, 12:30 GMT). Earlier reports have shown that U.S. private employers added 237,000 jobs in June, the best result since December.
This morning in Asia Shanghai Composite Index declined by 1.94%, or 78.57 points, to 3,975.12. Hong Kong Hang Seng gained 0.45%, or 118.44 points, to 26,368.47. Meanwhile the Nikkei added 1.12%, or 227.86 points, to 20,557.18.

Asian stocks mostly ignored concerns over Greece and advanced ahead of U.S. payrolls data anticipating a strong report. Shanghai Composite continued falling. It has lost almost a quarter since a June 12 peak.

(index / closing price / change items /% change)

S&P/ASX 200 5,515.7 +56.69 +1.04%

TOPIX 1,636.41 +6.01 +0.37%

SHANGHAI COMP 4,053.7 -223.52 -5.23%

HANG SENG 26,250.03 +283.05 +1.09%

FTSE 100 6,608.59 +87.61 +1.34 %

CAC 40 4,883.19 +92.99 +1.94 %

Xetra DAX 11,180.5 +235.53 +2.15 %

S&P 500 2,077.42 +14.31 +0.69 %

NASDAQ Composite 5,013.12 +26.26 +0.53 %

Dow Jones 17,757.91 +138.40 +0.79 %