[BRIEFING.COM] The major indices have kept to a relatively tight range, currently near the unchanged mark, as investors digest a worse-than-expected monthly jobs report and a slightly better-than-expected wholesale inventory reading.

October nonfarm payrolls fell 190,000 in October, which was worse than the expected decline of 175,000. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate rose to 10.2% from 9.8%, which was worse than the 9.9% consensus. The rise in unemployment was not due to more workers entering the workforce -- the labor force declined by 31,000 people as 259,000 workers left the workforce over the last month. The jump in unemployment was solely due to an increase in the number of unemployed.

Separately, wholesale inventories fell 0.9% month-over-month in September, which was slightly better than the -1.0% consensus.

Earnings have not had much of an impact on trade. AIG (AIG 35.61, -3.67) is trading lower despite topping quarterly estimates, while Starbucks (SBUX 20.98, +1.28) is trading higher after beating expectations and issuing upside FY09 guidance.

In commodity trading, the price of gold hit a record high of $1101.90 per ounce, while oil prices are under pressure, down 3.3% at $77.00 per barrel.