Stocks closed Thursday mixed amid ongoing concerns about Greece's possible exit from the euro zone, while tepid economic data gave investors little reason to take risk.
The Dow Jones industrial average closed the session higher, but declines in technology stocks weighed on the Nasdaq market.
Earlier, data showed demand for long-lasting manufactured goods rose less than expected in April while weekly jobless claims dipped modestly for the week ended May 19.
Underscoring the vulnerability of corporate America to events in the euro zone, NetApp on Wednesday forecast revenue below Wall Street's expectations and its chief executive warned about uncertainty in Europe.
Trading was volatile throughout the day as investors remained concerned about Greece's possible exit from the euro zone. At least half of euro zone governments as well as banks and large companies are making contingency plans in case Greece decides to leave the single currency area, even though the preferred option is still for Athens to keep the euro.
Hewlett-Packard shares rose a day after the company announced plans to lay off about 8 percent of its workforce over the next couple of years.
The transport sector edged up despite a rebound in oil prices, led by gains in airlines after JPMorgan raised its price target on several carriers.
U.S. airways jumped to its highest since November 2010.
After the closing bell on Wednesday, electronic trader Knight Capital Group said it suffered a pre-tax loss of $30 million to $35 million on the botched Nasdaq trading debut of social media giant Facebook and is demanding the exchange compensate that amount.
Facebook shares ended higher and was one of the few bright spots in the market.
Reuters contributed to this report.
