Stocks Ended Mixed after Late-day Reversal

U.S. stocks made a late-day reversal and ended mixed on Thursday with blue chip Hewlett-Packard rallying after a large-scale job-cut announcement. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended up 33.60 points, or 0.27%, at 12,529.75. The S&P 500 rose 1.82 point, or 0.14%, to 1,320.68. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 10.74 points, or 0.38%, to 2,839.38.

At least half of euro zone governments as well as banks and large companies are making contingency plans in case Greece decides to leave the single currency area, even though the preferred option is still for Athens to keep the euro.

Costco Wholesale Corp. said Thursday that its fiscal third-quarter profit rose a better-than-expected 19%, helped by increased membership income and its bulk goods and one-off finds that drove budget-conscious shoppers. Costco Wholesale Corp. said Thursday that its fiscal third-quarter profit rose a better-than-expected 19%, helped by increased membership income and its bulk goods and one-off finds that drove budget-conscious shoppers.

VeriFone Systems Inc.’s (NYSE:PAY) fiscal second-quarter earnings fell 43% as restructuring and acquisition-related costs continued to overshadow stronger revenue and better-than-expected core profit. VeriFone Systems Inc.’s (NYSE:PAY) fiscal second-quarter earnings fell 43% as restructuring and acquisition-related costs continued to overshadow stronger revenue and better-than-expected core profit.