What you need to know… The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) on Thursday closed up +0.58%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) closed up +0.91%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed up +0.21%. Stocks on Thursday closed moderately higher. Stocks found support on Thursday’s weaker-than-expected retail sales and manufacturing production reports, which were dovish for Fed policy and knocked bond yields lower. However, stocks were undercut by the unexpected decline in weekly jobless claims, which was hawkish for Fed policy. Also, a -2% slide in Alphabet limited gains in technology stock…