The latest economic data, as well as hardships in the banking sector, suggest that it is time investors shifted to a more prudent approach when it comes to stocks, and look for quality, BlackRock Vice Chairman Robert Doll told CNBC Wednesday.

Shares of Activision Blizzard were inexpensive despite record sales of a video game and the company buying back nearly $300 million in stock in the third quarter, Barron's said on Sunday.

In this market, you want to be in the “junkiest of the junk,” Greg Peters, head of fixed income research at Morgan Stanley, told CNBC.

Stocks advanced Friday as Disney's earnings beat and JCPenney's outlook helped offset worries about a drop in consumer sentiment. For the week, the Dow gained 2.5 percent, finishing at its highest level since Oct. 2008.

Stocks clawed higher Friday as solid earnings from Disney and JCPenney helped offset worries about a drop in consumer sentiment. It was a wobbly morning but by midday, the  Dow was up more than 100 points, or 1 percent.

Stocks wobbled Friday as investors juggled a drop in consumer confidence against solid earnings from Disney and JCPenney. They started the day higher, then retreated, then made another push higher.

Thursday's losses notwithstanding, Wall Street's major averages enter the Friday session with a chance to finish off their second consecutive week of gains.

Stocks struggled Thursday as investors juggled a weak holiday outlook from Wal-Mart and a drop in jobless claims. Techs clawed higher, with huge gains in JDS Uniphase and AMD.

Stocks struggled Thursday as investors juggled a weak holiday outlook from Wal-Mart and a drop in jobless claims. Techs clawed higher, with huge gains in JDS Uniphase and AMD.

Stocks wobbled Thursday as investors juggled a weak holiday outlook from Wal-Mart and a drop in jobless claims. Techs clawed higher after some big news out of the sector.

U.S. futures remained slightly lower ahead of the open Thursday after Wal-Mart posted a 1.1 percent rise in third-quarter U.S. sales, compared to the same quarter last year, and U.S. mortgage applications pushed higher last week. 

Moody's Investors Service on Wednesday raised its rating on Nasdaq OMX to investment grade from junk status, citing success in diversifying revenues, integrating mergers and boosting profits.

The Dow rose for a sixth straight session Wednesday as the dollar hit a new 15-month low after Fed comments and strong Chinese economic data. Financial, material and IT stocks were the biggest gainers.

Stocks opened higher Wednesday as the dollar fell to its lowest level in 15 months and economic data out of China was strong.

Stock index futures pointed to another higher open on Wall Street Wednesday as the dollar hit a new 15-month low after Federal Reserve officials reinforced the view that rates will remain low for some time.