Small caps led the way ahead midday Thursday, while the major averages took smaller steps up.
The small cap Russell 2000 popped 0.7%. The Nasdaq, S&P 500 and blue chip Dow Jones industrial average added 0.3%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively. Volume in the stock market today fell on the NYSE at 12 p.m. ET and was roughly flat on Nasdaq vs. the same time on Wednesday.