The benchmark S&P 500 struggled for direction on Thursday as strong results from Nordstrom Inc and a fall in U.S. jobless claims offset data showing a contraction in U.S. manufacturing activity. Stocks initially rose at the market open as shares of Nordstrom jumped after the department store’s quarterly profit beat estimates, joining Target Corp and Lowe’s Cos Inc in delivering upbeat retail numbers.

source https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-stocks-p-500-stalls-192901236.html?.tsrc=rss