Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesUS stocks fell from their record highs on Wednesday, as the number of jobless claims dropped for the third consecutive week.The number of jobless claims fell to 375,000 in April, a new post-pandemic low. This is as Americans return to work.Subscribe to our daily newsletter 10 Things Before The Opening Bell.US stocks fell on Thursday as the Dow Jones and S&P 500 remained just below their record highs. This was despite weekly jobless claims falling for the third consecutive week.Last week's drop in jobless claims to 375,000 was the lowest since the pandemic started more than 15 months ago. The consensus estimate of 2.9 million was lower than the 2.87 million continuing claims.These encouraging jobless claims data suggest that the continued rise of COVID-19 Delta isn't slowing down job growth yet. Americans are slowly returning to work, according to the reading. This data is a result of July's record-breaking jobs report. The country gained nearly 1 million jobs in July.Here are the US indexes shortly after the 9:30 AM. ET opens on ThursdayRead more: Laszlo Birinyi, an investment legend, shares his strategy for cashing in on a bullish trade in the stock market that has already earned him 250% this fiscal year. He also explains why he isn't worried about a correction.After the company's second quarter earnings beat analyst expectations, shares of Palantir rose as high as 9% Thursday.Clover Health's strong earnings report, supported by Chamath Palihapitiya, saw shares rise 19%, as revenues forecasts exceeded estimates.China indicated that it will not end its tech crackdown anytime soon and called for stricter rules in key industries.Oil prices slid. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 0.8% to $68.68 a barrel. Brent crude oil, the international benchmark for oil, dropped 0.6% to $70.99 a barrel at intraday lows.Gold dropped as low as 0.6% to $1,741.68 an ounce.
