The US stock indices declined slightly on Thursday, as investors were careful ahead the Friday’s release of the US non-farm payrolls. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 5.45 points, or 0.05%, to 10674.98 ahead the publication of the monthly employment data. The Nasdaq Composite shed 10.51 points, or 0.5%, to 2293.06. The Standard & Poor's 500 index decreased 1.43 points, or 0.1% to 1125.81. American Express shares tumbled 89 cents or 2% to $43.22. Pfizer stocks lost 25 cents or 1.5% to $16.19, Microsoft equities fell 36 cents or 1.4% to 25.37. The securities went down after an unexpected increase in the US initial jobless claims. These report cooled investors’ expectations for the monthly employment data, which is due to release on Friday. Thursday’s declines were limited by the consumer sector companies, which were lifted by encouraging retail sales at Kohl’s, Abercrombie & Fitch and Macy’s although some other retailers disappointed. Kohl’s shares rose $1.91 or 4.1% to $49. The sales results of the department-store retailer met analysts’ expectations and the company raised its second-quarter earnings forecast. Abercrombie stocks advanced 73 cents or 1.9% to $39.53. Macy’s securities increased 34 cents or 1.7% to $19.78, following better-than-expected July retail sales and as the company said its back-to-school season has got a great start.
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