US stocks close little changed ahead of NFP

By FXStreet US stocks failed to sustain intraday gains and closed little changed on Thursday, as the rally in oil and energy-related equities lost momentum during afternoon trade.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 9 points, or 0.05%, to close at 17,661. The S&P 500 Index lost 0.5 point, or 0.02%, to 2,051. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 8.55 points, or 0.18%, to close at 4,717.

Disappointing jobless claims data weighed on sentiment as investors await the key US nonfarm payrolls report due on Friday.

DJIA technical perspective

“The bearish momentum continues in the index, and the daily chart shows that the price is currently below its 20 SMA, whilst the technical indicators maintain their downward slopes below their mid-lines,” said Valeria Bednarik, chief analyst FXStreet. “In the 4 hours chart, the technical indicators have turned north from near oversold levels, but remain below their mid-lines, whilst the 20 SMA acts as dynamic resistance now around 17,731, having accelerated its decline below the 100 and 200 SMAs.”

Support levels: 17,609 17,530 17,440. Resistance levels: 17,692 17,731 17,812.
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Source:: FX Street