The US markets ended lower on Thursday as the war in the Middle East escalated following attacks on key energy facilities across the region. Traders were worried that increasing conflicts could lead to higher inflation. Sentiments were downbeat as a report released by the Conference Board showed that modest decrease by its reading on leading U.S. economic indicators in the month of January. The Conference Board said its leading economic index edged down by 0.1 percent in January after dipping by 0.2 percent in December. Some concern also came as report released by the Commerce Department showed wholesale inventories in the U.S. unexpectedly decreased in the month of January. Wholesale inventories fell by 0.5 percent in January following a revised 0.1 percent dip in December. However, traders took some support with the Labor Department report showing initial jobless claims in the US fell by 8,000 from the previous week to 205,000 in the second week of March, firmly below expectations of a 2,000 increase.

Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 203.72 points or 0.44 percent to 46,021.43, Nasdaq decreased 61.73 points or 0.28 percent to 22,090.69 and S&P 500 fell 18.21 points or 0.27 percent to 6,606.49.