Markets are mixed before the opening bell on a busy Thursday that will bring the latest government report on retail sales, weekly applications for unemployment benefits, and a slew of corporate earnings reports.

U.S. stocks ripped higher Wednesday following a shot of adrenaline from an encouraging update on U.S. inflation. Strong profit reports from Wells Fargo and other big U.S. banks also helped launch indexes to their best day in two months.

I make note of the four stocks analysts most adore, and the four they most despise. In performance over the next year, there's little difference.