Markets Right Now: Meager gains are enough for Nasdaq record

The latest on developments in financial markets (All times local):

4:00 p.m.

U.S. stock indexes ended mostly higher on Wall Street, enough to mark another record high close for the Nasdaq composite.

Major indexes spent most of the day wavering between small gains and losses Thursday, then wound up with modest gains.

Energy companies slumped along with the price of oil, but several others rose after reporting stronger-than-expected profits, including Under Armour and PayPal.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index edged up 1 point, less than 0.1 percent, to 2,388.

The Dow Jones industrial average added 6 points, less than 0.1 percent, to 20,981. The Nasdaq composite increased 23 points, or 0.4 percent, to 6,048.

Slightly more stocks fell than rose on the New York Stock Exchange.

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11:45 a.m.

Stock indexes were edging mostly lower in midday trading on Wall Street as declines in energy companies outweighed gains elsewhere.

Earnings were a big focus for investors Thursday and many companies were moving after reporting their latest quarterly results.

American Airlines fell 7 percent after reporting its results. Athletic apparel maker Under Armour surged 9 percent after its results came in better than analysts were expecting.

Falling oil prices helped pull energy stocks lower. Anadarko Petroleum plunged 7 percent.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 4 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,383.

The Dow Jones industrial average slid 35 points, or 0.2 percent, to 20,936. The Nasdaq composite edged up 9 points, or 0.2 percent, to 6,035.

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9:35 a.m.

Stocks are edging higher in early trading on Wall Street as investors pore over a large batch of company earnings reports.

Comcast and Union Pacific rose in early trading Thursday after reporting their earnings, while United Parcel Service and Southwest Airlines fell.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index was up a fraction at 2,387.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 12 points, or 0.1 percent, to 20,986. The Nasdaq composite rose 6 points, or 0.1 percent, to 6,032.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller-company stocks was flat at 1,419.