Dow Jones closes down 544 points as Wall Street wilts

NEW YORK, New York - Stocks fell sharply on Thursday, ahead of Friday's nonfarm payrolls report. U.S. investors were dismayed with the week to 4 March's jobless claims rising more than expected, selling off bank stocks in particular.

Concern continues to focus on the direction of interest rates. "The Fed has changed the narrative that drove stocks higher for most of January and late December," Adam Sarhan, CEO of