NEW YORK — The U.S. stock market held near its records in a quiet day of trading on Thursday, continuing its relatively calm run following weeks of sharp and scary swings.

The S&P 500 inched up by 0.1 percent and is just 0.5 percent below its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 31 points, or 0.1 percent, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2 percent.

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Dollar General helped lead the market and rallied 14 percent after reporting a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. More customers shopped at its stores, and it also squeezed more profit out of each $1 in sales that it made.

Hormel rose 3.8 percent after likewise reporting a better profit than expected, thanks in part to strength for its Planters nuts and Jennie-O turkey offer

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