Major averages are mixed while the Nasdaq outperforms to end the fourth straight quarterly advance for equities. Technology and consumer discretionary sectors performed the best while financials and energy stocks stumbled on the day, weighing on the Dow industrials.

Major U.S. stock indexes pulled back Tuesday as investors sold government bonds along with shares of technology companies that had powered higher in a low-yield environment.

The S&P500 retreated from a record Monday, pressured by declines in shares of banks and technology stocks. Financial stocks led declines after a large investment fund last week unwound billions of dollars in holdings, triggering concern that global banks that dealt with the firm could face sharp losses.

U.S. stocks rose Thursday afternoon, averting a third consecutive day of declines, as the economic picture continued to brighten.

U.S. stocks closed lower Wednesday as investors continued to pull back from the technology stocks that led the market higher for much of the last year.