US blue chips index ended Thursday in red territory as the ECB decision not to loosen its policy at the moment disappointed market players. Meanwhile, mixed news from the US also impacted US equities. US employment claims dropped more than expected last week while factory orders posted an unexpected contraction in July. Dow Jones Industrial Average Index lost 0.71% to close at 12,878.88. Eight out of nine industries in the index plunged. The only gainer was consumer services sector, posting a mild increase of 0.05%. At the same time, basic materials and oil and gas sectors were the weakest amid dismal manufacturing data releases and a buildup in the US natural gas inventories. Chevron and Exxon Mobil tumbled 1.13% and 1.19% while Alcoa and El du Pont de Nemours sank 2.97% and 1.84%.