The Traderszone Network

The $3.4 billion Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund is smokin’. The fund’s gain in the 12 months going into Thursday was 18.02%. That ranked in the top 4% of large-cap growth stock mutual funds tracked by Morningstar Inc., which averaged an 11.06% return. The S&P 500 was up 14.31%. In the past five years the fund’s average annual gain was 16.92%. That ranked in the top 14% of its peer group, which averaged 14.99% a year.

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Stocks took more baby steps Thursday as the Nasdaq and S&P 500 continued a cautious trend. The Nasdaq tapped out a 0.3% gain, while the S&P 500 inched up 0.1%. The IBD 50 rose 1.1%. Volume fell across the board. The Jan. 28 distribution day on the S&P 500 dropped off because of time. A distribution day, which points to institutional selling, is no longer relevant to current conditions after five weeks.

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A $5 million class-action lawsuit filed this week in Florida accuses hardwood and laminate flooring giant Lumber Liquidators.

U.S. government debt is cheaper than it has been in 25 years, at least when compared to German bunds. Yields on German securities plummeted after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said the bank will start buying sovereign bonds next week and include debt with negative yields.

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Oil dropped in New York after U.S. crude inventories increased to the highest level in more than three decades, adding to a global supply glut. West Texas intermediate oil slipped 1.5%. U.S. crude stockpiles rose by 10.3 million barrels last week to 444.4 million, the Energy Information Administration said Wednesday.

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A BNSF Railway train loaded with crude oil derailed in Illinois, with two tank cars catching fire, according to local officials and the company.

U.S. stocks closed higher, breaking two days of losses amid details of QE in the euro zone and anticipation of Friday’s nonfarm payrolls report.