U.S. stocks ended mixed on Thursday as investors were awaiting the closely-watched nonfarm payroll report due Friday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 12.53 points, or 0.07 percent, to 18,268.50. The S&P 500 gained 1.04 points, or 0.05 percent, to 2,160.77. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 9.17 points, or 0.17 percent, to 5,306.85.

On the economic front, initial claims for U.S. unemployment benefits declined 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 249,000 for the week ended Oct. 1, lower than market consensus of 256,000, said the Labor Department on Thursday.

The upbeat jobs data bolstered investors' speculation of an interest rate-hike by year-end, which weighed on the market on Thursday.

Traders will keep a close eye on Friday's nonfarm jobs report for more clues on the central bank's next move.

Wall Street also looked into oil prices, as U.S. crude rose 1.22 percent to 50.44 U.S. dollars a barrel after official data showed a surprise weekly drawdown in U.S. crude inventories.

Source : XINHUA