US stocks open lower after jobs figures

by Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL

US stock exchanges opened Friday with losses after the release of key jobs figures.

The Dow Jones was down 78 points, or 0.24%, to 32,175 at 9.37 a.m. EDT.

The S&P 500 also fell 14 points, or 0.36%, to 3,903.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq declined 74 points, or 0.66%, to 11,262.

The US economy added 311,000 jobs in February, above market estimates, but the unemployment rate rose to 3.6% in February, from 3.4% in January, the Labor Department announced earlier.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, rose 1.9% to 23.04, while the 10-year US Treasury yield plummeted 4.9% to 3.731%.

The dollar index fell 0.65% to 104.63, while the euro added 0.8% to $1.0669 against the greenback.

Precious metals were in positive territory, with gold adding 1.5% to $1,858 per ounce and silver rising 2.7% to $20.62.

Oil prices, meanwhile, were little changed, with global benchmark Brent crude at $81.76 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate at $75.77.

You may also like