Another Mixed Session

Indices ended mixed on Thursday. American Express, Walt Disney, United Technologies and AT&T led the Dow’s slight descent. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq added fractional gains. Stocks traded flatly today amid a variety of economic news. The U.S. trade deficit decreased in June. The Commerce Department said the gap dipped to $42.9 billion from a downwardly revised $48 billion in May. June’s data marks the third straight month of narrowing in the deficit. On another note, the Labor Department said initial jobless claims fell by 6,000 to 361,000 last week. The prior week’s numbers were upwardly revised from 365,000 to 367,000. In earnings news, Advance Auto Parts reported a 12 percent decline in second-quarter net income. The company said profit hit $99.6 million, or $1.34 per share, versus $113.1 million, or $1.46, a year ago.

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