Nasdaq, S&P 500 waver amid more soft jobs market data

US stocks wobbled on Thursday as investors digested more weaker-than-expected labor market data that could help set expectations for both interest-rate cut hopes and the health of the US economy.

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) opened near the flatline, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) fell 0.3%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) rose 0.6% The major gauges finished Wednesday’s volatile session mixed as their sluggish start to September continued.

Private employers in the US posted their smallest monthly hiring growth since January 2021, new data from ADP showed Thursday. Private payrolls grew by about 99,000, well below expectations. Meanwhile, slightly fewer Americans filed a new claim for unemployment benefits last week. On Wednesday, government data showed job openings slumped.

Together, the jobs market data serves as an appetizer for Friday’s jobs report for August, crucial to the Fed’s policy decision making and closely watched amid hopes for a “Goldilocks” economy.

Stocks’ lack of momentum comes with the market torn between conflicting impulses as data releases paint a downbeat picture of the economy. Recent soft readings make the case for deeper rate cuts. But they could also be a sign the US is on the brink of recession and a “soft landing” is no longer in the cards.

Traders now see an almost 50-50 chance the Federal Reserve will lower rates by 0.5% at its September meeting.

On the corporate front, earnings from HPE (HPE) and C3.ai (AI) shed some light on prospects for AI growth. C3.ai shares slumped 20% after the enterprise AI software maker posted weak subscription revenue. HPE stock slipped as lower amid disappointment over its profitability.