The Nasdaq composite held up the best among the major indexes, but wavered and was up just 0.2% in recent trades. The S&P 500 also wavered and edged into positive ground after falling 0.8% Monday. Small caps outpaced the market, with the Russell 2000 index lifting 0.5% higher. The Russell ended a six-day winning streak Monday.

Wall Street stocks edged higher Thursday, lifting major indices to records as traders shrugged off worries about US tariffs while strong Delta earnings sent airline shares upward.

"While the reciprocal tariff letters that Trump has delivered this week have largely been shrugged off by markets, Brazil’s treatment caused a shock," said William Jackson of Capital Economics.