By Anora Mahmudova and Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch

GM, Procter & Gamble fall after missing earnings expectations

U.S. stocks traded modestly lower on Thursday amid a cascade of mixed earnings and weaker-than-forecast economic reports.

The S&P 500 (SPX) was off about a point, or 0.1%, to 2,105. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) dropped 30 points, or 0.3%, to 17,990. A 4% decline in 3M's shares was contributing heavily to Dow's losses. The Nasdaq Composite (RIXF) was flat at 5,034, within a striking distance from its record level reached 15 years ago.

On Wednesday, the Nasdaq (RIXF) rose for a third straight session (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid), resting only 13 points below its record close, reached on March 10, 2000.

Data: Sales of new single-family homes tumbled 11.4% to an annual rate of 481,000 in March, pulling back from a seven-year high reached in the prior month and hitting the slowest pace since November, according to government data released Thursday. However, economists caution that a side margin or error make single monthly reading less reliable.

The number of people who applied for regular state unemployment-insurance benefits ticked up 1,000 to 295,000 in the week that ended April 18, signaling a low level of layoffs, according to government data released Thursday.

Markit's preliminary report on the manufacturing purchasing managers index for April fell to 54.2 in April from 55.7 in March. Flash PMIs out of Europe released earlier on Thursday showed growth weakened at the start of the second quarter (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/eurozone-economy-slows-in-april-pmis-show-2015-04-23).

Earnings: On an exceptionally busy day for earnings, shares of eBay Inc. (EBAY) jumped 4% after earnings showed its PayPal unit brought more revenue that its core marketplace division.

General Motors(GM.XX) earnings disappointed, hurt by stronger currency and weaker overseas performance. Shares fell 2.8%, making it the top decliner on the S&P 500.

Caterpillar Inc.(CAT) posted much better-than-expected earnings and lifted its full-year outlook. Shares rose 2%.

Dunkin' Brands Group Inc.(DNKN)reported first-quarter earnings above analyst forecasts and boosted its 2015 outlook (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dunkin-brands-boosts-2015-outlook-2015-04-23), sending the shares up 7%.

Tech giants fill out the results docket after the market closes. Google Inc.(GOOGL) is forecast to post first-quarter earnings (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-to-watch-for-in-googles-earnings-2015-04-20) of $6.61 a share, while Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is expected to report earnings (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-to-watch-for-in-microsofts-earnings-2015-04-21) of 51 cents a share in the first quarter.

Amazon.com Inc.(AMZN) is likely to post a loss (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-to-watch-for-in-amazons-earnings-2015-04-20) of 16 cents a share in the first quarter.

Movers and shakers:Qualcomm Inc.(QCOM) lost 2.4% after the chip maker late Wednesday reported a slump in second-quarter earnings (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/qualcomm-beats-earnings-cuts-semiconductor-outlook-2015-04-22).

AT&T Inc. (T) rose 2.7% on the back of a slightly better-than-expected earnings report on Wednesday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/att-adds-441000-core-wireless-subscribers-2015-04-22-164851122).

Read more about Thursday's jumpiest stocks in the Movers & Shakers column (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gm-google-microsoft-amazon-starbucks-earnings-in-focus-2015-04-23)

Other markets:European stocks traded mostly lower (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid) after the disappointing PMIs. Investors are also closely monitoring news about Greece's reform talks ahead of a key meeting of eurozone finance ministers on Friday. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is due to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Brussels on Thursday.

Asian markets closed mixed (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hong-kong-stocks-slip-after-soft-china-data-2015-04-23), while metals traded higher. Oil prices (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid)(CLM5) rose and the ICE dollar index (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid)(DXY) was flat around 97.96.

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Mar 2024 Click Here for more Caterpillar Charts.
Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2023 to Mar 2024 Click Here for more Caterpillar Charts.