US Stocks Finish Lower Ahead Of Jobs Report

U.S. stocks finished modestly lower Thursday as investors took profits ahead of Friday's closely watched July jobs report and continued to digest a heavy slate of earnings.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average led the declines, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted only modest losses.

Treasury yields moved higher following stronger-than-expected jobless claims data, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates higher for longer, while rising oil prices added to inflation concerns.

Beneath the surface, earnings continued to drive sharp stock-specific moves, with weakness in several technology names offset by strength in energy and industrial stocks.

Investors now turn their attention to Friday's Nonfarm Payrolls report, which is expected to be the week's key market catalyst and could shape expectations for the Fed's next policy move.