Stocks ended quietly mixed Thursday, a reasonable performance after two straight days of solid gains for the major averages.
The Dow Jones industrial average added nearly 0.2%, helped by strength in DuPont (DD) and Boeing (BA). The Nasdaq composite and S&P 500 lost less than 0.1% each. Small caps underperformed with the Russell 2000 down around 0.5%. Preliminary data showed volume on the NYSE and Nasdaq coming in slightly lower than Wednesday's levels.
Investors had a slew of earnings reports to peruse after the close. After-hours winners included Intel (INTC) and KLA-Tencor (KLAC). Losers were Alphabet (GOOGL), Starbucks (SBUX), PayPal (PYPL) and Proofpoint (PFPT).
During regular trading, homebuilders were on the move again, helped by strong earnings from PulteGroup (PHM). Shares jumped nearly 4% as Pulte vies for a breakout from a cup-shaped base with a 22.50 buy point.
More earnings reports are due next week in the group from the likes of MDC Holdings (MDC), Meritage Homes (MTH) and M/I Homes (MHO). All three are near buy points.
In the airline group, Southwest Airlines (LUV) gapped up to an all-time high, soaring 9% to 53.92. It's extended from a 48.10 buy point. It was a different story at JetBlue (JBLU), though, as shares reversed lower, falling 3%. JetBlue forecast an 8%-9% drop in January unit revenue but said the peak February period is looking positive and April appears "encouraging."
ServiceNow (NOW) jumped nearly 4% to 89.49 in response to solid earnings late Wednesday. The enterprise software name is a tad extended from an 85 handle buy point.
In the stock market today, shares of Charter Communications (CHTR) vaulted 7% after the Wall Street Journal reported that Verizon (VZ) is a potential suitor. Verizon's $4.8 billion acquisition of Yahoo (YHOO) is set to close in the second quarter.
Financials outperformed in the IBD 50, PacWest Bancorp (PACW) and SVB Financial (SIVB) added 1.8% and 1.2%, respectively. Like many other financials, both are finding support after November breakouts.
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