US stocks close lower ahead of monthly jobs report

Most of the US stock indices closed lower on Thursday, to give up earlier gains, after Nasdaq jumped to a new record high.

The US unemployment claims reached 1.877 million during the past week, higher than forecasts of 1.820 million.

This comes ahead of the US monthly jobs report release tomorrow, with forecasts of 8 million jobs lost in May and for the unemployment rate to rise sharply.

To the oil market, West Texas Intermediate crude rose 0.3% to close at $37.41 a barrel, after it hit an intraday high of $37.41 and a low of $36.3.

While Brent rose 0.5% to $39.99 a barrel, with a high of $40 and a low of $39.04.

As for stocks, Dow Jones rose by less than 0.1% or 12 points to close at 26,282, after it hit a day high 26,384 and a low 26,082.

Nasdaq fell 0.7% or 67 points to 9,616 points, with a high of 9,716 and a low of 9,560.

S&P 500 fell 0.3% or 10 points to 3,112 points, with a high of 3,129 and a low of 3,090.