Before the stock market opens on Friday, here are five things you should keep in mind.

As investors prepare to enter their trading day on Thursday, one key takeaway for them should be:1. S&P 500 Losses ContinueThrowback Thursday saw stocks continue their downward slide with S&P 500 losing 0.3% as it closed at 5,503.41. Dow Jones Industrial Average also witnessed losses, falling 0.54% to finish at 40,755.75. On the contrary, however, Nasdaq Composite saw modest gains as its tech-heavy index edged up 0.256% to 17,127.66; even moving as high as 1.2% earlier. Arun Sai, senior multi-asset strategist of Pictet Asset Management stated, “We’re in the middle of yet another mini growth scare – stay updated by following live market updates!” 2. Job opportunities emergeA cyclist passes a “Now Hiring” sign posted outside a business storefront in San Gabriel, California on August 21, 2024. Wall Street awaits new jobs data from the Labor Department with great anticipation. According to Dow Jones estimates, nonfarm payrolls grew by 161,000 during August while unemployment decreased slightly to 4.2%. Report comes after private payrolls saw an increase of 99,000 over last month – representing one of the smallest job growth gains seen over three-and-a-half years. “[Friday’s report is being] called into question because labor market has contracted faster than originally projected,” according to economist Giacomo Santangelo from job search site Monster. “To discuss what steps the Fed may be taking in response, and to alter rates accordingly.3. This dialogue provides us an opportunity for debate about this subject matter.”3. Red Lobster Reaches BreakevenMark Patrick T. Fallon/AFP | Getty ImagesRed Lobster has made it through bankruptcy; on Thursday a bankruptcy court approved its restructuring plan for operation. Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 protection back in May and plans call for its acquisition by RL Investor Holdings by September’s end, when former P.F. Chang’s CEO Damola Adamolekun will lead Red Lobster. Red Lobster announced on November 19, 2017, that current CEO Jonathan Tibus is leaving. In response, Adamolekun stated, “Today marks an exciting day in Red Lobster history!” “With our new backers’ help, we have developed an ambitious investment plan of over $60 million which aims to revitalize and reinvigorate an iconic brand while honoring its history and traditions4. Own-ing: Salesforce Acquisition of Own.Brendan Mcdermid of ReutersSalesforce announced Monday they have acquired startup Own. Salesforce announced on Thursday it will acquire OwnBackup for $1.9 billion cash, hoping to close the transaction by fourth quarter 2018. The announcement comes less than two years after co-founder and CEO Marc Benioff stated the company had disbanded its board committee on mergers and acquisitions. Salesforce may have just signaled its return to more substantial deals with this deal, following their plans to acquire rival startups PredictSpring and Tenyx.5. “Very Dangerous Rate Cut?” by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome PowellAndrew Harnik | Getty ImagesAccording to George Lagarias, an unexpected rate cut this month could spell disaster for markets. At Forvis Mazars, their chief economist advocates a quarter-point reduction over an outright 50bps cut: “I don’t see the urgency for such drastic actions without strong justification or specific evidence behind such action being undertaken by regulators or the Fed,” according to CNBC reports. At least in my view, panic should only arise following events which disrupt markets.” Other economists like JPMorgan’s Michael Feroli disagree and propose cutting interest rates by 50 basis points this month – his chief U.S. economist believes so! “There’s an argument to get back to neutral as soon as possible,” he told CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street.” It is expected that rates may start decreasing during their next FOMC meeting Sept. 17-18; CNBC contributors Samantha Subin, Jesse Pound, Jeff Cox, Amelia Lucas Jordan Novet and Sam Meredith contributed this report; stay abreast of broader market action with CNBC Pro.