Despite a drop in new jobless claims and further signs of economic stabilization, stocks struggled to cling to minor gains on Thursday and many exchange-traded funds remained relatively flat.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average remained in positive territory climbing 37 points to 9581. The Nasdaq gained 3 to finish at 2028, and the S&P 500 rose 3 points to 1031.

David Rosenberg, chief economist and strategist at Gluskin Sheff, said the recent bear market rally may be running out of steam. "It could well be that the buying momentum is subsiding," he wrote in a note to clients. "[N]othing wrong with taking profits in a market trading at 130x trailing reported earnings."

Weekly jobless claims and a second report on second-quarter GDP were released before the market open. Weekly jobless claims dropped by 10,000 to 570,000 for the week ended Aug. 22, according to a Labor Department report.

The GDP figure for the second quarter was left intact by the Commerce Department, which said the growth of the U.S. economy decreased by 1% from April through June. That indicates deeper inventory liquidation and less consumer-spending weakness, both positive signs for economic stabilization.

For a detailed rundown on Thursday s trading session, see our market story.

Winners

Thursday's pickup in oil prices gave the United States Oil fund a 2.1% boost. Investors also headed for gold as a safe haven, and shares of the Market Vectors Gold Miners climbed 1.9%.

Losers

The SPDR KBW Regional Banking shed 1.1% as investors sold off financial shares. Continuing declines in natural gas prices pushed the United States Natural Gas fund down 1%.

Thursday s Industry Headlines

Data Point
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., the investment bank that specializes in the financial services sector, will adjust the KBW Regional Banking Index, which the KBW Regional Banking exchange traded fund seeks to replicate in daily performance. As of Aug. 31, it will increase shares of National Penn Bancshares and Umpqua Holdings to account for their respective equity offerings.

Friday s Notebook

Earnings and Conference Calls
Bank of Nova Scotia, China Unicom, Tiffany, Workstream

Economic Data
8:30 a.m. Personal Income and Outlays
9:55 a.m. Consumer Sentiment