Indexes Mixed; Leaders, Volume Quiet

Volume eased Thursday as two of the four major indexes fell and the market continued its slow, steady uptrend.

The NYSE composite skidded 0.4%, while the S&P 500 fell fractionally. The Nasdaq added 0.1%, and the Dow rose 0.4%.

From a technical angle, those two declines were positive action. Since the March 1 follow-through day, at least one major index has shown accumulation in seven of the 14 sessions. Not one day has seen distribution.

That suggests institutional investors aren't eager to take profits.

For most leaders, it was a quiet session. Among the few top-rated stocks that moved in heavy volume, more fell than rose.

With no evidence of institutional selling, the market remains in a confirmed uptrend. Dozens of stocks have broken out since March 1, but only a handful have made double-digit gains.

One of the best-performing industry groups recently is career schools. Four stocks carry a best-possible 99 EPS Rating: DeVry (DV), Grand Canyon Education (LOPE), ITT Educational Services (ESI) and Capella Education (CPLA).

Economic news was generally positive Thursday. Inflation was lower than expected, leading indicators matched views, and the Philadelphia manufacturing index topped the consensus estimate. Jobless claims, though, were a little worse than expected.

Greece continued its back-and-forth economic soap opera — this time saying it might turn to the International Monetary Fund for a bailout if Europe doesn't provide one.

That weakened the euro, boosted the dollar and sent oil into retreat.

Gold futures and other precious metals also declined.

Among industry groups, medical stocks were among the day's leaders as President Obama pushed for passage of health legislation. The massive, 2,300-page bill will inevitably pick winners and losers, but it isn't clear yet who they will be or whether the legislation will pass Congress and then survive legal challenges.

Posted 05:11 PM ET U.S. Stocks Quiet After Hours; Witching Ahead

Few leading stocks were active in evening trading Thursday as the market looked to a quadruple witching session Friday.

The simultaneous expiration of contracts for stock index futures, stock index options, stock options and single stock futures occurs only four times a year. It usually results in volatile trading and higher volume.