U.S. stocks ended lower Friday as an unexpectedly strong August employment report increased the perceived chance that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates this month. The economy added 162,000 jobs, nearly triple the 55,000 consensus estimate and a sharp rebound from July's upwardly revised 21,000 increase. Unemployment remained at 4.1%, while monthly hourly pay rose 0.3% and annual wage growth eased to 3.1% from 3.2% in July. The CNN Money Fear and Greed Index, a gauge of investor sentiment, fell to 41.9 from 43.9 and stayed in the Fear zone. President Donald Trump is pressing for rate cuts, although rate markets moved in the opposite direction after the jobs data. The Dow Jones fell about 272 points to 53,414.25, the S&P 500 declined 0.38% to 7,718.60 and the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.29% to 26,506.99. American Outdoor Brands shares jumped about 45% after stronger-than-expected first-quarter fiscal 2027 results, while Guidewire Software fell 20% after issuing below-estimate first-quarter sales guidance and Lululemon dropped more than 17% after mixed second-quarter results and lower FY26 guidance. Health care, consumer discretionary and energy stocks led S&P 500 losses, while industrials and information technology rose. Investors are awaiting results from United Natural Foods, ABM Industries and Caseys General Stores.