Stocks Ended Lower on ECB Stimulus Speculation

U.S. stocks finished with modest losses onThursday, as investors weighed prospects for European Central Bank stimulus before tomorrow’s report on the American labor market. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 12.52 points, or 0.07%, to 17,900.10. The Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 2.41 points, or 0.12%, to 2,071.92. The Nasdaq composite declined 5.04 points, or 0.11%, to 4,769.44.

The European Central Bank’s Governing Council expects to consider a package of broad-based asset purchases including sovereign debt next month, two euro-area central-bank officials familiar with the deliberations said.

Microsoft has sold its stake in the Nook e-reader business back to Barnes & Noble, taking a $238 million loss on its investment.In April 2012, Microsoft spent $300 million on a 17.6% stake in the digital e-book reader. On Thursday, Microsoft sold that stake back to Barnes & Noble (BKS) for just $62 million.

U.S. fast-food workers and supporters marched for higher pay in Chicago, Milwaukee and Boston on Thursday as demonstrations advocating for a $15 minimum wage and other labor rights in about 190 cities began around the United States.