Nasdaq closes at another record as Big Tech jumps ahead of earnings, S&P 500 ekes out new high; European markets close mixed as ECB says it ‘stands ready’ to act 
The Nasdaq Composite rose to another record on Thursday as investors bet on strong earnings from big tech companies next week. The tech-heavy benchmark climbed 0.6% to close at a new high of 13,530.91 as Apple shares popped 3.7%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 12.37 points to 31,176.01, after touching an intraday record earlier in the day. The S&P 500 gained less than 0.1% to 3,853.07, eking out another fresh high. 
Apple’s jump came after top analyst Katy Huberty from Morgan Stanley said she expects a record December quarter print for the tech giant. Optimism is rising that major technology companies will impress Wall Street when they hand in earnings reports next week. Apple and Facebook have risen 7.7% and 8.6%, respectively, this week ahead of their quarterly results, while Microsoft has gained 5.8%. 
Major U.S. airline United fell 5.7% after posting its fourth straight quarterly loss. The carrier warned that sales would continue to suffer in the early part of 2021 as the pandemic drags on. 
The pan-European Stoxx 600 ended the session flat, with sectors and major bourses pointing in opposite directions. Tech stocks were the biggest gainers, up 1.6%, while oil and gas shares lost 1.3%. 

The European Central Bank kept interest rates unchanged Thursday but said it stands ready to act as coronavirus infection rates rise across the euro zone, leading to renewed lockdown measures. 
In terms of individual share price movement, Swiss e-commerce pharmacy Zur Rose Group surged 8.8% after robust full-year results while Spanish lender Bankinter climbed 4.3% after an upbeat 2021 forecast. 
Source: CNBC