US stocks closed lower Thursday, as the major indexes struggled to build on the previous day's surge amid another round of big bank earnings and a slide in tech stocks. Investors also watched the Capitol Hill confirmation hearing of President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent.

Markets are mixed before the opening bell on a busy Thursday that will bring the latest government report on retail sales, weekly applications for unemployment benefits, and a slew of corporate earnings reports.

Asian Shares Advance After Inflation Data Drives a Rally on Wall Street TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares mostly rose Thursday, following a rally on Wall Street driven by encouraging update on U.S. inflation.