Stocks mixed on inflation report

Stocks are mixed in early trading following the previous session's steep dive and after a reading on consumer prices came in better than expected.

The flat reading Thursday on September's Consumer Price Index compares with August's 0.1 percent decline, which was the first in nearly two years. Investors are relieved to see any economic pressures ease on consumers.

The Labor Department has also reported that workers seeking unemployment benefits fell last week by more than expected.

The Dow, which fell 733 points Wednesday following a weak report on retail sales and a disheartening assessment of the economy from the Fed, is down 40 at the 8,537 level. The Standard & Poor's 500 index is down 0.32 percent, while the Nasdaq composite index is up about 0.21 percent.

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