U.S. stock indexes held firmer and finished mixed a day after strong reports on the economy stirred up worries that inflation and interest rates may remain higher than expected.

Global stock markets were mixed on Thursday as Wall Street remained closed to honor the late former President Jimmy Carter. The U.S. stock market was closed Thursday in observance of a National Day of Mourning for Carter who died at the age of 100 late last month.

The New York Stock Exchange is closed today in observance of the National Day of Mourning in recognition of the passing of former President Jimmy Carter. "Jimmy Carter, with humble roots as a farmer and family man,