On Thursday, U.S. stocks closed lower, driven by increased uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's interest rate strategies following mixed economic data. The latest figures showed a drop of 14,000 in initial jobless claims, adjusting to 218,000 by September 20, indicating robust consumer spending and business investment.

Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee voiced caution about hastily cutting rates given inflation risks. This follows the Federal Reserve's recent 25 basis point rate cut, the first since December, amid signs of labor market fragility. Investor confidence in another October rate cut has slightly wavered, dipping to 83.4% from 92%, per the CME FedWatch Tool.

With important financial reports on the horizon, investors are particularly focused on the Personal Consumption Expe

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