U.S. stocks were higher after the close on Friday, as gains in the Consumer Services, Utilities and Basic Materials sectors led shares higher. At the close in NYSE, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) climbed to another record high on Columbus Day Monday, testing above the 43,000 handle and poised to enter a sixth consecutive week in the green. Wall Street is geared up for a hectic earnings reporting week,

They may technically be blue chips, but that doesn't necessarily make them your best bets at their discounted prices.

U.S. stocks were mixed after the close on Thursday, as gains in the Oil & Gas, Basic Materials and Financials sectors led shares higher while losses in the Utilities, Healthcare and Consumer Goods sectors led shares lower.

Despite a bearish start to the trading week, the Dow Jones continues to trade north of the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) near 41,220. The major equity index has bounced off of the 50-day EMA several times in recent months as a bullish uptrend holds steady.

Discover how the Dow Jones Industrial Average, first published in 1896, was created as a way to inform investors of the overall health of the stock market.

The S&P 500 is on track to report 7% year-per-year earnings growth for the third quarter, according to estimates from FactSet.