Equity prices in the US were mostly lower as investors eye Friday's employment report, which are now expected to come in even softer than the beginning of the weeks expectations. The combination of slightly softer than expected ADP private employment and larger than expected increase in unemployment claims has changed many analysts expectations.

The U.S. private sector added 179,000 jobs in April, the lowest increase since November, according to payroll data compiled by Automatic Data Processing Inc. Expectations were for an increase of 200,000 jobs. Analysts are expecting the unemployment rate to stay flat at 8.8%, when released by the Department of Labor later today.

Analysts also predict the economy created 185,000 jobs last month, which would be below March's increase of 216,000.On Wednesday , the Department of Labor said that Initial unemployment claims increased by 43,000 to a seasonally adjusted 474,000 in the week ended April 30. The prior week's figure was revised to 431,000 from an originally reported 429,000. Economists surveyed had forecast claims would fall by 19,000 in the latest week. The level of 474,000 was the highest since the week ending Aug. 14, 2010. A Labor Department analyst attributed the surprising increase to one-time administrative factors, including additional layoffs in New York state due to spring break.

US equities continued to be under some pressure as commodity market participants continued to unwind positions. The Nasdaq Index moved lower bouncing off of support levels near 2370. Resistance is seen near 2,450. The S&P 500 Index held above support levels near 1340, and was basically unchanged. The Dow ended slightly lower hold the support level near 12,600. Resistance is seen near 12,850.