In the week through Sept. 28, there were 225,000 initial jobless claims, compared economists expectations of 220,000 initial claims.

Indexes edged lower Thursday as investors took in an uptick in jobless claims and simmering tensions in the Middle East. A key jobs report is due Friday.

Initial Jobless Claims for the week ended Sept. 28 rose 6K to 225K vs. 221K consensus and 219K in the previous week (revised from 218K), the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. The four-week moving average was 224,