US stocks drift a day after record high; Europe climbs after ECB chief says he's ready to act

The U.S. stock market was drifting a day after closing at a record high.

In Europe, markets climbed when the head of the European Central Bank said he was ready to take more steps to revive the region's struggling economy.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index edged up a point to 2,025 as of 11:55 a.m. Eastern time Thursday.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 31 points, or 0.2 percent, to 17,516. The Nasdaq composite was flat at 4,620.

Whole Foods Market jumped 11 percent, the most in the S&P 500 index, after reporting earnings that beat analysts' estimates.

European stocks rose and the euro fell after the president of the ECB said the bank is preparing the groundwork for further stimulus measures.