(CNBC) U.S. stocks closed narrowly mixed, attempting to extend a recovery as investors eyed fluctuations in oil prices and awaited the final jobs report before the Federal Reserve's key September meeting. ( Tweet This )
"I do think today's market is the market traders don't want to be in long because it could be very choppy if these numbers are indicative of a labor force that is expanding," said Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial.
Friday's nonfarm payrolls report is the last monthly employment report before the Federal Reserve meets in two weeks, when an announcement on interest rates is widely anticipated.