Hot Stocks of the Day: YHOO, NOK, PBR, EWH.

The preliminary "Flash" PMI reading from HSBC and Markit has dipped below the 50 line which marks the division between expansion and contraction. The contraction for January was the first in six months. Among the effects resulting has been global stock market declines

Investors held their breath hoping the year will end with the S&P 500 boasting a 29-percent advance, for its best year since 1997.

Stocks reached new records today as initial unemployment claims dropped significantly. Nasdaq, S&P and Russell 2000 all rise as well.

Although stocks generally made a modest decline on Thursday as a result of two disappointing economic reports, the Dow Jones Industrial Average managed to reach new record intraday and closing highs.

Stocks fell as investors reacted negatively to the adoption of the “Volcker rule”, which prohibits banks from proprietary trading.