Stocks waddled out of the starting blocks in a mixed open Thursday, as investors responded to a heavy blend of U.S. and overseas news. Tech stocks led, lifting the Nasdaq 0.1%. The S&P 500 lagged, slipping 0.2%. The Dow Jones industrial average faded 0.3%. Volume was soft, down 4% on the Nasdaq and 8% lower on the NYSE compared with action at the same time Wednesday.