03:37 PM EDT, 09/04/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes rose ahead of the close on Thursday amid slower private sector job growth data and expansion of economic activity in the services sector.

The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.73% to 21,654.8, with the S&P 500 up 0.66% to 6,490.5 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.72% to 45,595.3. The majority of the sectors were higher, with consumer discretionary and financials leading the gains. Utilities was the steepest decliner.

US Treasury yields fell, with the 10-year yield down 4.3 basis points to 4.16% and the two-year rate 2.2 basis points lower at 3.59%.

In economic news, the ADP employment report revealed that private sector job growth markedly declined in August and fell short of expectations. The ADP employment report follows the JOLTS report, which revealed that US job openings in July came in much lower than expected, driving September Fed rate cut bets.

In company news, Amazon ( AMZN ) shares gained over 4% after entering a deal with JetBlue Airways ( JBLU ) to offer the airline enhanced in-flight connectivity via Project Kuiper's low-Earth orbit satellite internet network. JetBlue ( JBLU ) plans to roll out Kuiper-facilitated Wi-fi service in 2027.

Gold futures fell 0.85% to $3,604.7, after scaling a new peak earlier in the session.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures slumped 1.02% to $63.32 a barrel.