US markets muted ahead of payroll data

US markets opened lower ahead of tomorrow's key jobs data, as the global sell-off gathered pace on negative news from Europe.

The Dow fell 0.33% to 13,032 shortly after the opening bell, having closed yesterday’s session almost 1% lower. The S&P 500 index was 0.28% down at 1,395. The number of Americans lining up for new jobless benefits fell to the lowest level in nearly four years last week, according to a government report, indicating improvement in the labour market. However, markets will be waiting for tomorrow’s March employment report for a clearer picture of the health of the economy. Economists are expecting payrolls to have risen by 203,000 after a 227,000 increase in February. The FTSE 100 clos...