The Nasdaq jumped to a fresh record close today, following its intraday high, while the S&P 500 inched toward record levels -- fresh off its 7th-straight monthly win -- and the Dow dropped 48 points. Disappointing jobs data highlighted the morning, as the ADP employment report showed private payrolls increasing by 374,000, which is far below Wall Street's estimate of 600,000, and investors are looking ahead to Friday's nonfarm payrolls for direction. Meanwhile, U.S. data showed manufacturing growth despite labor shortages, as the ISM manufacturing index rose to 59.9% in August from July's 59.5%. 

The Dow Jones Average (DJI - 35,312.53) fell 48.2 points or 0.1%. Walt Disney (DIS) led the Dow winners today with a 1.2% gain, while Caterpillar (CAT) paced the laggards with a 1.3% loss.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 4,524.09) added 1.4 points or 0.03%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 15,309.38) jumped 50.2, or 0.3%.

Lastly, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 16.11) lost 0.4 points or 2.3%.

OIL RISES AFTER OPEC+ MEETING

Oil prices finished slightly higher today after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) confirmed its plan to boost oil production by 400,000 barrels per day each month. Meanwhile, the commodity is continuing to recover from Hurricane Ida October-dated crude rose 9 cents, or 0.1%, to settle at $68.59 a barrel. 

Gold prices fell, as investors unpacked the disappointing U.S. jobs report. December-dated gold fell lost $2.10, or 0.1%, to settle at $1,816 an ounce.