Nasdaq bucks trend, posts record close

Wall Street saw mixed performance Thursday, as Dow Jones and S&P 500 slumped due to concerns over the coronavirus crisis, while Nasdaq bucked the bearish trend and posted a fresh record closing.

The World Health Organization reported that coronavirus infections have surpassed the 12 million cases barrier, with a death toll of 552,000 victims worldwide.

The organization also warned that the virus has not reached it peak yet and it's still spreading at a high rate.

Economists fear that the outbreak will lead to reimposing the coronavirus restrictions in some countries, which will further damage their economies.

The US unemployment claims reached 1.314 million during the past week, beating economists' forecasts of 1.37 million.

To the oil market, West Texas Intermediate crude fell 3.1% to close at $39.62 a barrel, after it hit a day high of $40.9 and a low of $39.2.

Brent fell 2.2% to $42.35 a barrel, with a high of $43.5 and a low of $41.9.

As for stocks, Dow Jones fell 1.4% or 361 points to close at 25,706, with a day high of 26,103 and a low of 25,523.

S&P 500 fell 0.5% or 18 points to 3,152, with today high at 3,179 with a low of 3,115.

Nasdaq rose 0.5% or 55 points to 10,547, after hitting a high of 10,578 and a low of 10,379.