Stocks could struggle at the start Friday as investors seek clues to the market's direction as what looks like another up week comes to a close.
S&P and Nasdaq futures signaled a mixed start for U.S. stocks.
Stocks managed modest gains Thursday, with the Nasdaq hitting a fresh 16-month high, as buyers were encouraged by a number of stronger-than-expected economic reports. (For more on Thursday's market action, click on the graphic).
Overseas, stocks slipped in Europe after hitting eight-month highs, while stocks in Asia ended mixed.
Treasury prices edged lower, pushing the yield on the 10-year note up to 4.48 percent from 4.47 percent late Thursday. Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions.
No major economic news is due Friday.
That could leave investors focusing on individual stocks, especially those of companies that reported results after Thursday's closing bell.
Stocks that could be active include Novell, which swung to a loss in the latest quarter from a year earlier and said it would cut 10 percent of its work force. But the software maker beat analysts' forecasts nevertheless and Novell (NOVL: Research, Estimates) stock jumped 7.4 percent in after-hours trading on Instinet.
Upscale department store chain Nordstrom (JWN: Research, Estimates) posted sharply higher second-quarter earnings as cost controls boosted profit margins, sending its shares sharply higher in after-hours trading.
Gap Inc. (GPS: Research, Estimates) shares also rallied after the retailer reported a robust rise in second-quarter profit due to sharper merchandise offerings.
Shares of Aeropostale (ARO: Research, Estimates), a mall-based clothing chain catering to teens, leapt 6.3 percent on news the retailer reversed a year-ago loss for the second quarter.
Electronics Boutique (ELBO: Research, Estimates), a PC accessories and video game specialty store, also reported stronger earnings for its second-quarter. The retailer's shares tacked on 4.7 percent in after-hours trade.
Digital video recorder maker TiVo Inc. (TIVO: Research, Estimates) said its second-quarter net loss widened, but subscriber additions were outpacing expectations, which pushed its shares 13.3 percent higher on Instinet.
The latest Harry Potter novel helped the nation's No. 2 bookseller, Borders Group Inc., post a better-than-expected second-quarter profit and raise its full year earnings forecast. Borders (BGP: Research, Estimates) shares closed marginally lower to $19.29 on the New York Stock Exchange.
S&P and Nasdaq futures signaled a mixed start for U.S. stocks.
Stocks managed modest gains Thursday, with the Nasdaq hitting a fresh 16-month high, as buyers were encouraged by a number of stronger-than-expected economic reports. (For more on Thursday's market action, click on the graphic).
Overseas, stocks slipped in Europe after hitting eight-month highs, while stocks in Asia ended mixed.
Treasury prices edged lower, pushing the yield on the 10-year note up to 4.48 percent from 4.47 percent late Thursday. Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions.
No major economic news is due Friday.
That could leave investors focusing on individual stocks, especially those of companies that reported results after Thursday's closing bell.
Stocks that could be active include Novell, which swung to a loss in the latest quarter from a year earlier and said it would cut 10 percent of its work force. But the software maker beat analysts' forecasts nevertheless and Novell (NOVL: Research, Estimates) stock jumped 7.4 percent in after-hours trading on Instinet.
Upscale department store chain Nordstrom (JWN: Research, Estimates) posted sharply higher second-quarter earnings as cost controls boosted profit margins, sending its shares sharply higher in after-hours trading.
Gap Inc. (GPS: Research, Estimates) shares also rallied after the retailer reported a robust rise in second-quarter profit due to sharper merchandise offerings.
Shares of Aeropostale (ARO: Research, Estimates), a mall-based clothing chain catering to teens, leapt 6.3 percent on news the retailer reversed a year-ago loss for the second quarter.
Electronics Boutique (ELBO: Research, Estimates), a PC accessories and video game specialty store, also reported stronger earnings for its second-quarter. The retailer's shares tacked on 4.7 percent in after-hours trade.
Digital video recorder maker TiVo Inc. (TIVO: Research, Estimates) said its second-quarter net loss widened, but subscriber additions were outpacing expectations, which pushed its shares 13.3 percent higher on Instinet.
The latest Harry Potter novel helped the nation's No. 2 bookseller, Borders Group Inc., post a better-than-expected second-quarter profit and raise its full year earnings forecast. Borders (BGP: Research, Estimates) shares closed marginally lower to $19.29 on the New York Stock Exchange.
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