Thursday's recap...

Stocks tried to regain lost ground from Wednesday's wild sell-off, but weren't able to make much progress Thursday.

The S&P 500 and the NYSE composite rose 0.9% and 1%, respectively, while staying within the previous day's trading range. The two indexes took back less than a fourth of Wednesday's massive loss.

Meanwhile, the Nasdaq edged up 0.1%. The IBD 50's median move was a 0.2% gain.

Volume fell across the board.

The Nasdaq appeared to find support at the 2600 level, which was one of the few positive technical take-aways from the session. The composite has gotten fairly consistent support in that area, which had served as resistance in September and part of October.

Other factors made it hard to see a clear message in Thursday's trading.

Winners led losers by a 7-3 ratio on the NYSE and by 5-3 on the Nasdaq. But new lows outnumbered new highs by 32 to 17 on the NYSE and 49 to 10 on the Nasdaq.

Declining volume and the Nasdaq's inability to rally with the other indexes were negatives. But all the indexes closed high in the day's range, a plus.

A few leaders stirred.

Software maker SolarWinds (SWI) advanced to a new high, up 3% in 75% faster trade. The stock has been a leader since gapping up Oct. 27. The Austin, Texas-based company's stock is now 18% past a 25.72 buy point.

Advance Auto Parts (AAP) rose almost 5% in more than triple its usual volume after topping estimates on EPS and sales. The stock is about 4% past a 67.03 buy point in a first-stage base.

On the downside, Apple (AAPL) lost 2.5% in 30% faster trade as it sliced under its 50-day line. The stock had been getting support at that key level the past few weeks.

Market watchers tied the loss to Cleveland Research's reduced estimate on iPad shipments and on S&P Capital IQ's downgrade from strong buy to buy.

However, there's another explanation. Apple began the day with an Accumulation/Distribution Rating of D-, which points to institutional selling. Fund managers were already selling before the news from analysts. The A/D Rating was at E at the end of the day.

Top-rated stocks have had some challenges in this choppy market.

In the four weeks since the market flashed a follow-through day Oct. 12, dozens of stocks have broken out. Some have made progress. But nine triggered the 8% sell rule after breakouts. They are Thoratec (THOR), World Fuel Services (INT), Concho Resources (CXO), IntercontinentalExchange (ICE), ARM Holdings (ARMH), Herbalife (HLF), FEI Co. (FEIC), Fusion-io (FIO) and Opnet Technologies (OPNT).

Some have bounced back to reduce their losses. Others have gotten no better.