Investing.com - U.S. stocks traded lower Thursday as weak U.S. economic data thwarted better than expected earnings from leading companies.
At the close of U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.53%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.59%, while the Nasdaq Composite gave back 0.79%.
Starting the risk off sentiment, government data indicated that manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia-region expanded at a slower rate than expected in April, while an industry report showed that U.S. existing home sales declined unexpectedly last month.
The data arrived after a government report showing that the number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week fell less-than-expected, while the previous week’s figure was revised higher.
The Department of Labor reported the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending April 14 fell by 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 386,000, disappointing expectations for a decline of 18,000 to 370,000.
The previous week’s figure was revised up to 388,000 from 380,000
In the euro zone, concerns over Spain’s financial problems weighed, despite initial relief following an auction of Spanish government bonds.
Spain obtained slightly more than the full targeted amount of EUR2.5 billion, while the yield on the country’s 10-year bonds was higher but remained below the 6% level.
Spain auctioned EUR1.11 billion of two-year bonds at an average yield of 3.46%, up from 2.06% at a similar auction last month and EUR1.42 billion of 10-year bonds at an average yield of 5.74%, up from 5.33% from a similar auction in March.
The increase in 10-year bond yields reflected concerns that that Spain’s government may struggle to reduce one of the largest deficits in the euro zone in the face of a looming recession.
Ebay rocketed 13% on strong earnings from its paypal division.
Morgan Stanley advanced 1.5% on solid results.
In bearish news, Bank of America gave back 2% despite reporting climbing first quarter profits.
Tool maker, Stanley Black & Decker fell 7% as first quarter earnings missed analyst’s estimates.
At the close of European trade, the EURO STOXX 50 gave back 1.85%, France's CAC 40 fell 2.05%, while Germany’s DAX dropped 0.90%. Meanwhile, in the U.K. the FTSE 100 slipped 0.01%.
Investors are awaiting German business climate numbers, U.K. retail sales and Canadian CPI on Friday.
At the close of U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.53%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.59%, while the Nasdaq Composite gave back 0.79%.
Starting the risk off sentiment, government data indicated that manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia-region expanded at a slower rate than expected in April, while an industry report showed that U.S. existing home sales declined unexpectedly last month.
The data arrived after a government report showing that the number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week fell less-than-expected, while the previous week’s figure was revised higher.
The Department of Labor reported the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending April 14 fell by 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 386,000, disappointing expectations for a decline of 18,000 to 370,000.
The previous week’s figure was revised up to 388,000 from 380,000
In the euro zone, concerns over Spain’s financial problems weighed, despite initial relief following an auction of Spanish government bonds.
Spain obtained slightly more than the full targeted amount of EUR2.5 billion, while the yield on the country’s 10-year bonds was higher but remained below the 6% level.
Spain auctioned EUR1.11 billion of two-year bonds at an average yield of 3.46%, up from 2.06% at a similar auction last month and EUR1.42 billion of 10-year bonds at an average yield of 5.74%, up from 5.33% from a similar auction in March.
The increase in 10-year bond yields reflected concerns that that Spain’s government may struggle to reduce one of the largest deficits in the euro zone in the face of a looming recession.
Ebay rocketed 13% on strong earnings from its paypal division.
Morgan Stanley advanced 1.5% on solid results.
In bearish news, Bank of America gave back 2% despite reporting climbing first quarter profits.
Tool maker, Stanley Black & Decker fell 7% as first quarter earnings missed analyst’s estimates.
At the close of European trade, the EURO STOXX 50 gave back 1.85%, France's CAC 40 fell 2.05%, while Germany’s DAX dropped 0.90%. Meanwhile, in the U.K. the FTSE 100 slipped 0.01%.
Investors are awaiting German business climate numbers, U.K. retail sales and Canadian CPI on Friday.