US stocks pare some losses, close slightly lower

The major US stock indices closed lower on Thursday, after the release of mixed economic data, but Nasdaq turned higher.

The US retail sales index rose 0.7% in August, beating forecasts of a drop by 0.7%.

The core retail sales reading (excluding food and fuel prices) rose 1.8%, beating forecasts of a drop by 0.1%.

The US Department of Labor revealed that the number of initial unemployment claims was at 332K last week from 325K, lower than forecasts of 332K.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has ordered an examination of the Fed's ethics rules around investments of central bank officials to avoid financial conflicts of interest.

To the oil market, WTI crude October futures held at $72.61 a barrel.

Brent November futures rose 0.3% or 21 cents, and closed at $75.67 a barrel.

As for stocks, Dow Jones fell 0.1% or 63 points, and closed at 34,751, and hit a day high of 34,943, and a low of 34,540.

S&P 500 fell 0.1% or 7 points to 4,473, after hitting a high of 4,485 and a low of 4,443.

Nasdaq rose 0.1% or 20 points to 15,181 points, with a high of 15,205 and a low of 15,047.