World stocks mostly fell Thursday as investors braced for a crucial U.S. jobs report that is expected to show another rise in unemployment and could give markets renewed direction.

Thirteen Connecticut post offices are on a list released by the U.S. Postal Service for possible shutdown or consolidation.

Worries about rising unemployment have stock market investors on edge. Stock futures fell ahead of the June unemployment report set for release before the market opens Thursday. Economists are expecting an increase.

Orders to U.S. factories likely rose in May, reflecting strength in such areas as commercial aircraft and a key category that is viewed as a proxy for business investment.

The Energy Department will likely report a 72 billion- to 76 billion-cubic foot jump in natural gas reserves on Thursday for the week ended June 26, according to a survey by Platts, the energy information arm of McGraw-Hill Cos.

Stock futures pointed to a lower open on Wall Street on Thursday, as investors braced for all-important monthly jobs data. At 4:39 a.m. EDT futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq 100 were down 0.5 percent.

U.S. car and truck sales showed signs of stabilizing in June after a year of sharp declines, but every major automaker except Honda Motor Co. reported lower sales than in May.

Stocks rose on Wednesday, the start of the third quarter, as reassuring manufacturing data from China, Europe and the United States reinforced hopes that the world’s economy is on the road to recovery.

Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market: NYSE:

Drugstore operator Rite Aid Corp. said Wednesday it regained compliance with the New York Stock Exchange’s minimum share price rule.