Markets closed Thursday with a third consecutive uninspiring performance. The Dow Jones and S&P 500 both finished in the black, while the NASDAQ dropped for a second straight day. The S&P led the way with 0.40 percent (4.55 points), followed by the Dow at 0.31 percent (33.18 points). The NASDAQ dropped 0.05 percent (1.04 points), but is still higher today than at the end of last week.