Financials drag stocks lower (ext)

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- U.S. stocks ended mixed Thursday, as investors took a breather from the recent rallies and turned cautious after a lackluster earnings report from JPMorgan Chase.

The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) dropped 41 points, or 0.4%, and the S&P 500 (SPX) fell 4 points, or 0.3%.

Meanwhile, technology stocks were among the strongest performers. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite (COMP) was up 16 points, or 0.6%.

But throughout the trading day, JPMorgan's earnings results weighed on the market. The bank reported profit and revenue figures that topped Wall Street estimates, but fell from a year earlier. Investors were disappointed as CEO Jamie Dimon said the investment bank is being "extremely cautious, while navigating through this challenging economic environment."

"It's a difficult environment for banks to make money," said Dave Hinnenkamp, CEO at KDV Wealth Management. "The banking sector is facing a lot of headwinds, considering what's happening in Europe."

He added that while U.S. banks are well capitalized and in much better shape than they were in 2008, "they are still sensitive to the headlines."

On Thursday, Slovakia became the final euro area country to ratify overhauling the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), which is essentially a bailout for Greece and other troubled eurozone countries.

The approval was widely expected, after it had previously voted the measure down earlier this week.

Weaker-than-expected trade data from China also spooked investors, amid mounting concerns about a global economic slowdown. While Chinese exports were up 17.1% in September from a year earlier, that was weaker than the 24.5% annual increase in the previous month and below most forecasts, according to reports.

With little other news to lift the mood on Wall Street, investors hit the pause button after solid gains over the last week.

The dollar gained against the euro and British pound, but slipped against the Japanese yen.

Oil for November delivery dropped $1.34 to settle at $84.23 a barrel.

Gold futures for December delivery fell $14.10 to settle at $1,668.50 an ounce.