US stocks lower on jobless claims US stocks have opened lower following weak reports on US jobs and European business activity. Five minutes into trade on Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 23.80 points, or 0.17 per cent, at 13,903.74. The broad-based S&P 500 slipped 6.51 points, or 0.43 per cent, to 1,505.44. The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index fell 14.04 points, or 0.44 per cent, to 3,150.37. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims rose to 362,000 in the week ending February 16, more than the analyst estimate of 358,000. Analysts also were eying a Markit report that showed the eurozone's purchasing managers index slipping to 47.3 in February from 48.6 the previous month. "A disappointing report on eurozone business activity is dampening sentiment," said Charles Schwab & Co in a market comment. US stocks extended Wednesday's sharp losses following Federal Reserve meeting minutes that highlighted debate over the Fed's bond-purchasing program.