NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. stocks moved slightly higher Thursday as markets calmed after a recent bout of turmoil. Investors were encouraged by comments from European Central Bank policymakers, who said they were willing to provide more stimulus to the region's economy, if needed.
Investors now turn to today, when a key jobs report will be released that could help determine whether or not the Federal Reserve raises interest rates this month.
The Dow Jones industrial average added 23.38 points, or 0.1 percent, to 16,374.76. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 2.27 points, or 0.1 percent, to 1,951.13 and the Nasdaq composite fell 16.48 points, or 0.4 percent, to 4,733.50.
Stocks started the day solidly higher, but momentum waned as the day dragged on. Major indexes dipped briefly into the red by mid-afternoon before ending mostly higher.
Investors were initially encouraged by news out of the European Central Bank, where President Mario Draghi said the bank is ready to give the eurozone a bigger dose of stimulus should inflation across the 19-country bloc fail to pick up. Along with keeping interest rates low, the ECB is pumping 60 billion euros a month into the region's economy through purchases of government and corporate bonds. The program is slated to run at least through September 2016.