Wall Street had a mild rebound after three losing sessions today, with investors sending stocks mostly higher despite a sharp rise in unemployment claims and mixed holiday retail sales.

Disappointing retail sales figures and an unexpected jump in unemployment claims prompted UA investors to take profits today, leaving stocks mixed despite another big drop in oil prices.

Walt Disney Co directors’ decision to strip chief executive Michael Eisner of his chairman role stops short of what some investors said is needed to boost the company’s shares, which have fallen 25% in five years.

US stocks rallied today, boosted by encouraging news on jobless claims and earnings from Yahoo and Aetna.

Investors pushed stocks lower today, knocking the Nasdaq composite index to its lowest level since April.