NYSE

When it comes to bold weather-related boasts, it's hard to beat the Post Office's unofficial motto: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." Yet even the USPS pales beside the standard set by the New York Stock Exchange.

Stocks are up in afternoon trading Thursday following positive news on jobs and a surprisingly good profit report from Cisco. Shares of technology and financial companies are leading the market higher.

Last week's puzzling developments on the Street included: Bank of New York alienating its richest depositors; Microsoft and Google fighting like middle-schoolers; DirecTV's CFO making an embarrassing disclosure; and Netflix slowing down as it approached the millionth Canadian milestone.

One of Thursday's hardest-hit stocks was Dendreon, maker of the prostate cancer vaccine Provenge, which plunged 67% after reporting disappointing results. But, weirdly, Debdreon's disease seemed to infect the entire sector, dragging down companies with proven drugs. Are biotechs bargains right now?

A bruising session on Wall Street Thursday wiped more than 500 points off the Dow - its worst drop since October 2008. Driving the fear is growing concern about the possibility of another recession. Will the selloff continue Friday? It all depends on the Labor Department's employment report.

Walmart is launching an online delivery service -- "Walmart To Go" -- that will allow customers to buy food, medicine and other household goods online and have them delivered to their doors. Trefis takes a look at what this new growth opportunity means for the world's largest retailer.

Stocks closed lower for a second day, dragged down by technology companies and concerns about Europe's debts. European finance ministers approved $110 billion in rescue loans to Portugal on Monday, but have yet to decide on another rescue package for Greece.