(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors) U.S. stocks were little changed again Thursday as investors took in mixed data including a report that showed inflation over the past 12 months turned negative for the first time since 2009.
As of noon in New York the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 12 points at 18213 while the Nasdaq rose 16 points to 4983 and the S&P 500 edged down 2 points to 2112.
On Wednesday U.S. stocks ended essentially flat though the Dow managed to eke out another record close. Both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 settled slightly lower.
On the economic calendar today the Labor Department reported initial jobless claims rose by a greater-than-expected 31000 to 313000 in the week that ended February 21. Economists had expected a smaller rise to 290000 according to Bloomberg.
Meanwhile consumer prices in January fell for the third straight month down 0.7% slightly more than the 0.6% fall economists had estimated. Core minus the volatile food and energy categories rose 0.2% however higher than expected.
Durable goods orders in January climbed 2.8% better than the 2.0% rise expected and compared to a 3.4% decline in December.
Crude prices tumbled today after settling 3.5% higher in New York on Wednesday snapping a five-day losing streak. WTI crude for April delivery was last down $1.76 at $49.23 a barrel while gold futures jumped $9 to $1210 an ounce paring earlier gains.
In corporate activity Kohl's () shares rose 1% after its quarterly earnings and revenue topped market estimates while its outlook for the year matched views.
Holdings () shares fell more than 7% after the retailer posted another quarterly sales loss.
L Brands () reported fourth quarter earnings and sales that also topped estimates but the retailer warned on its current quarter and full year outlook with shares edging down 0.7%.
() shares jumped over 11% after the cloud software provider raised its full year revenue forecast. The company also reported quarterly results that met estimates.
After the closing bell today Gap () and J.C. Penney () will be reporting quarterly results.
In other news Royal Bank of Scotland (NYSE:RBS) is pulling its investment banking operations out of 25 countries to focus on lending in Great Britain. It also reported a loss last year of $5.4 billion.
() has agreed with federal regulators to pay $2.6 billion to settle claims related to the sale of mortgage-backed securities during the financial crisis.
Anheuser-Busch () has raised its annual dividend by 46% and announced a $1 billion share buyback program while also forecasting improved beer sales.
() said it will buy Italy's Sorin for $1.4 billion in stock. The two companies make medical devices for cardiac surgery.
European markets finished broadly higher Thursday led by gains in Germany after better-than-expected labor market data from Europe's largest economy. Japanese stocks also rose to a fresh 15-year high on Thursday as oil explorers got a boost from a rebound in global crude prices in the previous session.
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