Stocks remain mixed at close Thursday as investor confidence is swayed by
reports of a rise in jobless claims and the continued uncertainty that looms
ahead of the December jobs report , due out Friday before opening bell. The
Labor Department reports an increase in the number of Americans filing for first
time unemployment benefits. Economists had anticipated claims to increase to
405,000 but the latest figures exceeded predictions by 18,000, bringing the
final number to 409,000. Multiple reports on Wednesday pointed to a positive
turn in the job market with better than expected increases noted in private
sector payrolls, but the increase in unemployment claims has put a damper on the
upbeat reports. Monthly same-store sales figures from major retailers including
Gap and Target are coming in lower than expected with retailers reporting
declines due to inclement weather, deep discounts and consumer fatigue. At close
the major market indexes continue to be mixed. DJIA is down 25.58 points or
0.22% to 11697.31. Nasdaq is up 7.69 points or .28% to 2709.89. S&P 500 is down
2.71 points or 0.21% to 1273.85. The U.S Treasuries 10-year yield is down 0.06
to 3.42%. Oil is down 1.96 to $88.34 a barrel. The U.S. Dollar is up 0.0081 to
the Euro at $1.30. Gold is down 2.00 to $1371.70 an ounce. Author: Pamela Frost
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