AP - A surprisingly poor signal on the jobs market sent stocks slightly lower Thursday as investors remained worried about a lack of hiring.

AFP - Leading shares in London closed lower on Thursday on signs that more Americans are starting to claim unemployment benefits, spelling bad news for the economic recovery.

AP - New requests for jobless benefits rose last week to the highest level in almost four months. Economists said the jump in claims is a cautionary sign that higher corporate profits and a slowly recovering economy aren%27t spurring companies to generate many jobs.