Dow Ends Day Down 12

S&P 500, Nasdaq both slightly up

By Newser Editors and Wire Services

Posted Oct 1, 2015 3:15 PM CDT

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Dow Ends Day Down 12 — Patrick McKeon, center, works with fellow traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015. U.S. stocks started a new month lower a day after the market wrapped up its worst quarter in four years. (Richard Drew)

Stocks are getting the fourth quarter off to a weak start as investors wait for the government's monthly jobs report. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 12 points, or 0.1%, to 16,271 on Thursday. The S&P 500 rose three points, or 0.2%, to 1,923. The Nasdaq composite gained six points, or 0.2%, to 4,627.

A strong hiring report Friday would likely raise expectations that the Federal Reserve will increase its benchmark interest rate before the end of the year. Dunkin' Brands fell 10% Thursday after the company said it expects sales to slow at its doughnut shops. Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.03% from 2.05% a day earlier. (Read more Dow Jones stories.)

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