NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets closed lower on Thursday, with major indexes surrendering ground as investors weighed mixed corporate earnings and economic data showing a fall in jobless claims. The broad-based sell-off pulled the S&P 500 and Nasdaq down half a percent.

"In the week ending September 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 218,000, a decrease of 14,000 from the previous week's revised level," the Labor Department said in a statement Thursday. "The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 231,000 to 232,000. The 4-week moving average was 237,500, a decrease of 2,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 240,000 to 240,250," the statement said. 

The Standard and Poor's 500 (^GSPC) declined 33.25 points, or 0.50 percent, to close at 6,604.72.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) fell 173.96 points, a loss of 0.38 percent, finishing the session at 45,947.32.

The tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite (^IXIC) mirrored the S&P 500, dropping 113.16 points, or 0.50 percent, to settle at 22,384.70.

The downturn on Wall Street was broad-based, with market analysts pointing to renewed concerns about the timing of future interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. The losses suggest a cautious mood among investors following the recent rally to record highs.

U.S. Dollar Strengthens Broadly on Thursday as Euro and Pound Slump

The U.S. dollar posted significant gains against a basket of major currencies on Thursday, driven by shifting investor expectations regarding interest rate policies. The dollar's strength was particularly evident against European and commodity-linked currencies.

The Euro (EUR/USD) fell sharply, declining 0.65 percent to trade at 1.1661. The British Pound (GBP/USD) faced even stronger selling pressure, dropping 0.80 percent to 1.3337.

The dollar's rally was not limited to Europe. The Australian Dollar (AUD/USD) weakened by 0.68 percent to 0.6537, and the New Zealand Dollar (NZD/USD) fell 0.78 percent to 0.5764.

Additionally, the U.S. Dollar (USD/JPY) surged against the Japanese Yen, climbing 0.59 percent to 149.77, a fresh multi-decade high

Canadian, European and Asian Markets Mostly Lower on Thursday; Nikkei Bucks the Trend

Major global stock indices closed mostly in negative territory on Thursday, as investor caution prevailed amid ongoing economic concerns. While European markets saw broad-based declines, trading in Asia was mixed, with Japan's Nikkei 225 managing a modest gain.

Canada's main benchmark showed relative resilience. The S&P/TSX Composite Index (^GSPTSE) edged down a modest 24.97 points, or 0.08 percent, to close at 29,731.98.

In London, the FTSE 100 (^FTSE) edged down 36.45 points, or 0.39 percent, to close at 9,213.98. The sell-off was more pronounced across the European continent. Germany's DAX (^GDAXI) fell 131.98 points, a decline of 0.56 percent, finishing at 23,534.83. France's CAC 40 (^FCHI) dropped 32.03 points, or 0.41 percent, to settle at 7,795.42.

The broader European benchmark, the EURO STOXX 50 (^STOXX50E), mirrored the trend, closing at 5,444.89 after a loss of 19.67 points, or 0.36 percent. The Euronext 100 (^N100) saw a smaller dip, falling 0.27 percent to 1,635.70. Belgium's BEL 20 (^BFX) was among the session's weakest performers in Europe, sliding 39.27 points, or 0.84 percent, to 4,642.33.

Asian markets presented a mixed picture. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (^HSI) finished with a minor loss of 0.13 percent at 26,484.68. Singapore's STI Index (^STI) declined 0.39 percent to 4,273.86.

Japan's Nikkei 225 (^N225) bucked the overall negative trend, advancing 124.62 points, or 0.27 percent, to close at a fresh multi-decade high of 45,754.93. Mainland China's SSE Composite Index (000001.SS) finished essentially flat at 3,853.30, down a negligible 0.01 percent.

Australia's markets provided a bright spot, albeit with modest gains. The S&P/ASX 200 (^AXJO) inched up 0.10 percent to 8,773.00, while the broader All Ordinaries Index (^AORD) added 0.06 percent to close at 9,063.40.

Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region, India's S&P BSE Sensex (^BSESN) fell 0.68 percent to 81,159.68. Indonesia's IDX Composite (^JKSE) was a notable decliner, dropping 1.06 percent to 8,040.67. Malaysia's FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (^KLSE) was nearly flat, down just 0.07 percent. New Zealand's S&P/NZX 50 (^NZ50) retreated 0.21 percent to 13,153.79, and South Korea's KOSPI (^KS11) ended virtually unchanged, down a marginal 0.03 percent.

Taiwan's TWSE Index (^TWII) fell 0.66 percent to 26,023.85. In the Middle East, Egypt's EGX 30 (^CASE30) declined 0.77 percent. Conversely, Israel's TA-125 (^TA125.TA) was a strong performer, rising 1.26 percent to 3,069.27. after returing from the New Year holidays. 

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