Jobs Data Weigh Down U.S. Stocks

As to earnings, after the close Wednesday tax-services provider H&R Block (HRB Quote) announced a narrowed quarterly loss. Homebuilder Hovnanian (HOV Quote) reported a loss that was wider than a year ago.

Fellow construction firm Toll Brothers (TOL Quote) likewise had bad news, swinging to a third-quarter loss on falling revenue stemming from the ongoing housing crisis.

Looking at commodities, the Energy Information Administration reported that inventories declined by 1.9 million barrels for the week ended August 30. Gasoline inventories were down by 1 million barrels. Crude oil was down $1.32 at $108.03 a barrel, and gold was losing $2 at $806.20 an ounce.

Longer-dated U.S. Treasuries were edging higher. The 10-year was up 12/32, yielding 3.65%, and the 30-year was adding 22/32 to yield 4.28%. The dollar was gaining on the euro and pound but slipping against the yen.

Major global exchanges, including the FTSE in London, the Dax in Frankfort, the Nikkei in Japan and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong, were mostly trading lower.