Summary: After trading sideways for most of the day, stocks managed to finish at another record high Thursday. The energy sector was today's worst performer as it slipped on falling oil prices. Crude oil dropped below $75 a barrel for the first time in four years. Dow components Chevron (CVX) and Exxon Mobil (XOM) both lost ground. Hess (HES) was also down in the session. Some big names in tech helped prop the Nasdaq up. Microsoft (MSFT) and Apple (APPL) both gained in the session. But Blackberry (BBRY) was the bigger gainer, up 7% after it unveiled a new partnership with Samsung on a secure mobility solution for android devices. Kohl's (KSS) and J.C. Penney (JCP) fell in today's trading on disappointing earnings results. More on the American consumer Friday with the retail sales and consumer sentiment reports.
