The Dow Jones Industrial Average held to higher ground Thursday, paring its lag behind surging small caps, as major stock indexes were mixed in the wake of higher-than-expected initial jobless claims. Chip stocks mostly fell hard, pressuring the Nasdaq, while a broad range of retailers enjoyed stout gains on the stock market today. The Dow clipped some of its gains… 8:51 AM ET The stock market is at highs with JPMorgan, Goldman, Taiwan Semi and Delta earnings due. Two huge conferences, inflation data... 8:51 AM ET The stock market is at highs with JPMorgan, Goldman, Taiwan... Get instant access to exclusive stock lists, expert market analysis and powerful tools with 2 months of IBD Digital for only $20! Get market updates, educational videos, webinars, and stock analysis. Learn how you can make more money with IBD's investing tools, top-performing stock lists, and educational content.