Stocks opened more than 1 percent lower on Friday after data showed U.S. employment growth ground to a halt in August, adding to worries about the health of the economy.

Nonfarm payrolls generated no new jobs last month as sagging consumer confidence discouraged already skittish U.S. businesses from hiring and kept pressure on the U.S. Federal Reserve to provide more monetary stimulus to aid the economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 183.60 points, or 1.60 percent, at 11,309.97. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 20.12 points, or 1.67 percent, at 1,184.30. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 43.46 points, or 1.71 percent, at 2,502.58.

(Reporting by Ryan Vlastelica)

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