<h1>U.S. stocks slip as private payroll survey shows job losses, yields drop and markets brace for delayed jobs report</h1> U.S. equities slipped after a private payroll survey showed nationwide private-sector job losses and a downward revision to the prior month, prompting Treasury yields to fall as investors priced weaker labor-market prospects. The survey-based on a smaller employer sample than the forthcoming federal jobs report-raises uncertainty intensified by a partial federal shutdown that may delay the official data. Markets are sensitive because investors hope for a gradual slowdown sufficient to prompt central bank easing without triggering recession. Individual issuers diverged: a food producer's shares fell after weaker-than-expected quarterly results, an athletic apparel maker beat estimates, and a lithium developer surged after securing government loan support.