The Dow Jones industrial average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite ended with gains of less than 0.1% each Thursday, ahead of Friday's jobs report.
Preliminary data showed volume on the NYSE and Nasdaq coming in slightly higher than Wednesday's levels.
Crude oil slid below the $50 level to after plunging 5.5% Wednesday on news U.S. crude supplies rose 8.2 million barrels to 528.4 million, the highest on record. April WTI crude oil slid $1, or 2%, to settle at $49.28 a barrel after hitting a low of $48.79 earlier in the session.
After-hours movers on earnings included Finisar (FNSR) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA). Finisar had been setting up in a cup-with-handle base with a 36.51 buy point, but shares crashed 15% in after-hours trading.
Ulta Beauty gave up 4% in extended trading to around 262. Ulta had been struggling to make progress after a recent breakout over a 274.09 buy point.
In the stock market today, earnings reports were mixed. E.l.f. Beauty (ELF) soared 12% after the company reported better-than-expected earnings and sales, and also issued bullish guidance.
Elsewhere in earnings, National Beverage (FIZZ), best known for its LaCroix sparkling water brand, jumped 10% to 66.33. It's just above a 64.83 entry of a cup-shaped base.
Meanwhile, Celgene (CELG) continued to make a case for more upside. Shares rallied nearly 2% to 125.13 on positive comments from UBS, according to CNBC. It's still in buy range from a 122.48 buy point as it approaches a recent high of 127.
Inside the IBD 50, restaurant chain Dave & Buster's (PLAY) had a good day, up 3.5% to 58.56. A prior breakout over a 58.35 entry stalled, but the buy point is back in play, thanks to Thursday's heavy-volume gain.
The 10-year Treasury yield crept up another 4 basis points to 2.60%. It's closing in quickly on 2.62%, a level not seen since mid-December.
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