The Philly Fed Manufacturing Index contracted once again in October to minus 8.7, compared to minus 9.9 in the previous reading, and missing estimates of minus 5.0.

US unemployment claims fell in the week ending October 15 to 214 thousand from 226 thousand in the previous reading, beating estimates of 229 thousand. 

Euro fell in European trade on Thursday for a second session against dollar, moving off two-week highs on active profit-taking. 

Such decline came amid negative outlook for the European economy, which might force the European Central Bank to slow down its monetary tightening pace. 

EUR/USD fell 0.2% to 0.9754, with a session-high at 0.9794, after losing 0.85% yesterday on profit-taking away from two-week high at 0.9875. 

Grim Outlook

Analysts expect the grim outlook for Europe to hurt euro's standing amid mounting risks especially with the European trade deficit. 

Higher gas and oil prices also hurt import prices in a net energy importer, which in turn hurt industrial activities and led to a core commercial deficit. 

Also a slowdown in China hurt trade with the EU and impacted European exports. 

US stock indices declined on Wednesday after a rather volatile session, while US treasury yields rose once again.

A batch of banking results were released earlier from the US, with most achieving or beating earnings and profits forecasts after the Federal Reserve's rate decisions. 

Netflix, the original content creator, also reported its third-quarter results for this year. 

Following today's session, both Tesla, IBM, released their results, which are highly significant for market direction.

In tandem, US 10-year treasury yields spiked to 4.13%, the highest since July 2008.

Dow Jones closed down 0.3%, or 100 points to 30,423, with a session-low at 30,226. 

S&P 500 slid 0.7%, or 25 points to 3,695, with a session-low at 3,666. 

NASDAQ tumbled 0.8%, or 92 points to 10,680, with a session-low at 10,593.