Positive US jobs data fails to lift global markets

The S&P 500 closed 0.74% or 9.82 points down at 1,321, while the Dow Jones was 0.72% lower at 12,169 and the Nasdaq closed 0.5% down at 2,784. The US reported a fall in the number of unemployed last month, to 8.9%, down from 9% in January. Analysts had expected an increase to 9.1%. February’s decline was the third consecutive monthly decrease, and marked a positive indicator of the strength of the US economy. However, the data was overshadowed by the soaring oil price. Crude oil futures in New York climbed more than 2.6% to almost $105 a barrel, its highest level since September 20...