Shares of retailers and other consumer companies rose as traders bet that jobs data later in the week would be supportive.

A relatively weak jobs report could still be positive for cyclical sectors because of its influence on Federal Reserve tapering plans, said economists at brokerage Bank of America Global Research, in a note to clients.

Shares of airlines fell sharply after the European Union recommended member states reintroduce travel restrictions on U.S. visitors, a potential blow to the gradual rebound in transatlantic travel.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on contract signings, fell 1.8% to 110.7 in July compared with the previous month.

Australian casino operator Crown Resorts reported an annual loss and said it won't pay a dividend in the next half year as it faces further disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic and regulatory issues. Australia has taken a hard line with Covid restrictions, with large swathes of the country locked down for weeks and months at a time in an effort to keep the virus out.


 Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

08-30-21 1706ET