Mid-Day Market Update: US Stocks Gain; J.C. Penney Shares Gain After Q4 Results

Midway through trading Thursday, the Dow traded up 0.23 percent to 16,235.46 while the NASDAQ surged 0.36 percent to 4,307.65. The S&P also rose, gaining 0.23 percent to 1,849.36. Leading and Lagging Sectors Thursday morning, the basic materials sector proved to be a source of strength for the market. Basic materials sector