The S&P 500 ( ^GSPC) advanced 0.3%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI) gained 300 points or 0.8%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite ( ^IXIC) flipped between positive an negative territory, after the major gauges closed Thursday in the green.

Target’s stock was down more than 20% in afternoon trading, compared with a 0.6% decline for the S&P 500 index, according to FactSet data, at last check. The S&P 500’s consumer-staples sector was slumping 0.4% on Wednesday afternoon.

Stocks closed higher on Wall Street, giving the market its fifth gain in a row and notching another record high for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Stocks closed higher on Wall Street, giving the market its fifth gain in a row and another record high for the Dow Jones industrial average.

This Fed-based market signal is flashing a warning for the first time in over a decade. Here’s why it matters.

Stocks rose on Wall Street in afternoon trading Friday, keeping the market on track for its fifth straight gain. The S&P 500 was up 0.2% and was solidly on track for a weekly gain that will erase most of last week's loss.

The Dow Jones Industrial Averaged closed at a record as the major indexes bounced back from last week’s slide. The Dow closed up 426 points, or 1%, and finished the week just above its prior Nov. 11 record close.