Major US stock indexes finished trading in the red, due to the fall in technology companies, from Apple to chipmakers, as well as components of the consumer goods sector, such as Philip Morris and P & G.

Investors also analyzed statistics on the United States. As the report of the Ministry of Labor showed, the number of Americans applying for new unemployment benefits fell last week for the third time in four weeks, signaling the preservation of the health of the labor market. According to the report, the initial applications for unemployment benefits fell by 1,000 to 232,000 for the week to April 14. Economists were expecting 230,000 new applications.

In addition, the report submitted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia showed: the index of business activity in the production sector unexpectedly rose in April, reaching a level of 23.2 points compared to 22.3 points in March. Economists had expected the decline to 20.1 points.

At the same time, the Conference Board reported that in March the index of leading indicators (LEI) increased by 0.3 percent to 109.0, after an increase of 0.7 percent in February and 0.8 percent in January. "LEI increased in March, and although monthly growth was weaker than in the previous months, its 6-month growth rate has further increased and indicates continued strong growth in the US economy by the end of the year," said Ataman Ozildirim, Business Director, cycles and growth studies in the Conference Board. "The strengths of the leading index components have been widespread over the past six months, but the labor market components have made a negative contribution in March and will be closely monitored in the near future."

Most components of the DOW index finished trading in the red (22 of 30). Outsider were the shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (PG, -3.76%). The leader of growth was shares of American Express Company (AXP, + 7.09%).

Almost all sectors of S & P recorded a fall. The largest decline is demonstrated by the consumer goods sector (-2.3%). The financial sector grew most (+ 0.5%).

At closing:

Dow 24,664.67 -83.40 -0.34%

S&P 500 2,693.13 -15.51 -0.57%

Nasdaq 100 7,238.06 -57.18 -0.78%

U.S. stock-index futures fell on Thursday, as the effect of growing oil prices was offset by drops in Apple (AAPL) and chipmakers' stocks.

Global Stocks:

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

Alcoa (AA) target raised to $67 from $51 at Cowen

Procter & Gamble (PG) reported Q1 FY 2018 earnings of $1.00 per share (versus $0.96 in Q1 FY 2017), beating analysts' consensus estimate of $0.99.

The company's quarterly revenues amounted to $16.281 bln (+4.3% y/y), generally in-line with analysts' consensus estimate of $16.221 bln.

The company issued in-line guidance for FY 2018, projecting EPS of ~$4.11-4.23 (+5-8% y/y) versus analysts' consensus estimate of $4.19. It also reaffirmed FY 2018 revenues of $67.0 bln (+3% y/y) versus analysts' consensus estimate of $66.98 bln.

PG rose to $77.75 (+0.34%) in pre-market trading.

American Express (AXP) reported Q1 FY 2018 earnings of $1.86 per share (versus $1.34 in Q1 FY 2017), beating analysts' consensus estimate of $1.71.

The company's quarterly revenues amounted to $9.718 bln (+11.6% y/y), beating analysts' consensus estimate of $9.488 bln.

The company also issued upside guidance for FY 2018, projecting EPS at high end of $6.90 to $7.30 versus analysts' consensus estimate of $7.10.

AXP rose to $98.61 (+3.64%) in pre-market trading.

Alcoa (AA) reported Q1 FY 2018 earnings of $0.77 per share (versus $0.63 in Q1 FY 2017), beating analysts' consensus estimate of $0.68.

The company's quarterly revenues amounted to $3.090 bln (+16.4% y/y), missing analysts' consensus estimate of $3.161 bln.

AA rose to $62.37 (+5.00%) in pre-market trading.