<p>The S&P 500 broke a four-day string of gains, ending marginally lower on Friday (October 5) as an unexpected drop in the U.S. unemployment rate was overshadowed by concerns about the coming earnings season.</p><br /><p>The U.S. unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped to 7.8 percent in September, reaching its lowest level since President Barack Obama took office and providing a boost to his re-election bid.</p>
