Stocks cut earlier losses on Thursday and closed mixed, supported by gains in blue chips, which have been rallying toward the end of the quarter as money managers chase performance.
Earlier, Wall Street was set for a third day of losses as jobless claims data failed to meet heightened market expectations, leaving investors to wonder if the economy can sustain a rally.
New U.S. jobless claims fell last week, according to a government report, but still came in below forecasts.
Reuters contributed to this report.
