Updated from 9:37 a.m.

Stocks edged lower on Thursday morning after factory orders in June fell and an unexpected rise in jobless claims worried investors ahead of Friday's jobs report.

The S&P 500 was down 0.08%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.04%, and the Nasdaq fell 0.11%.

Factory orders declined 1.5% in June, its second straight month in sharp decline, according to the Commerce Department. Economists had expected orders to slide at a worse pace of 1.8%. May's factory orders fell at a revised 1.2% compared with a previously-released 1% drop.

Jobless claims rose in the past week, though remained at multi-decade lows. The number of new claims for unemployment benefits rose by 3,000 to 269,000 in the past week, its highest level since a recent peak hit in mid-June. Economists had expected jobless claims to fall to 263,000.

"This morning's report indicates a stable and healthy level of labor market separations," said Jesse Hurwitz, U.S. economist at Barclays Capital. "We continue to expect nonfarm payroll gains of 200k and a one-tenth decline in the U3 unemployment rate, to 4.8%, in tomorrow's July employment report."

The official jobs number from the Labor Department will be out on Friday. The release, the most closely-watch economic data each month, could make or break the case for a Federal Reserve rate hike sooner than later. Economists expect the pace of jobs growth in July to slow after a blockbuster gain in jobs added to the U.S. economy in June.

The Bank of England cut interest rates to a record low of 0.25%, the first time it has cut rates in seven years. The central bank also announced plans to purchase 10 billion pounds in corporate bonds, while expanding its quantitative easing program to 436 billion pounds from 375 billion pounds.

"Surveys of business activity, confidence and optimism suggest that the United Kingdom is likely to see little growth in GDP in the second half of this year," members wrote in a survey. The region has weathered weaker economic conditions and uncertainty since the controversial Brexit vote in June.

European markets moved higher after the decision. The FTSE 100 in London added 1.4%, the CAC 40 in France rose 0.7%, and Germany's DAX climbed 0.8%.

Tesla Motors (TSLA) - Get Report reported a wider-than-expected loss in its recent quarter, its 13th straight quarter of losses. The electric automaker reported an adjusted net loss of $1.06 a share, more than double the loss of a year earlier, and far steeper than an expected loss of 59 cents a share.

Sales of $1.6 billion climbed 33% from a year earlier, though missed estimates of $1.63 billion. Tesla also reaffirmed that it is on track to deliver 50,000 vehicles over the second half of the year.

Viacom (VIAB) - Get Report was under pressure after reporting a 27% drop in quarterly profits, dragged on by increased costs and a weaker box office. The media company reported an adjusted $1.05 a share in earnings, 4 cents above estimates. Revenue climbed 1.6% to $3.12 billion, above consensus of $3.01 billion.

21st Century Fox (FOXA) - Get Report posted a mixed quarter. Income at its filmed-entertainment segment fell as revenue from The Martian and Deadpool failed to catch up with blockbusters Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and The Maze Runner of a year earlier.

Seaworld (SEAS) - Get Report tumbled 14% after reporting a decline in attendance at its Florida theme parks. Adjusted earnings of 21 cents a share was in-line with consensus. Revenue of $371.1 million came in short, dragged on by a 7.6% fall in attendance.

First Solar (FSLR) - Get Report fell 8% despite topping analysts' estimates on its top and bottom line over the second quarter. The solar-energy company earned 87 cents a share, 32 cents higher than anticipated. Revenue increased 4.3% to $934.4 million, exceeding estimates by $71.7 million.

Herbalife (HLF) - Get Report exceeded earnings estimates in its second quarter, while upping its full-year guidance. The vitamin and health care company reported an adjusted profit of $1.29 a share, which stripped out $203 million in regulatory charges. Analysts had expected adjusted earnings of $1.21 a share.

Square (SQ) - Get Report increased 10% after hiking its full-year sales guidance. The payments company expects revenue between $655 million and $670 million, higher than its previous range of $615 million to $635 million. Consensus was for $642.6 million in fiscal 2016 sales.