U.S. Schools: Passing or Failing?

CNBC's Trish Regan sits in for Maria Bartiromo to discuss the day's top business and financial stories, and look ahead to Friday's Closing Bell.

CNBC's Mary Thompson reports on the trading day from the NYSE.

UK retail sales rose at their fastest pace in two years in November, according to a CBI survey Thursday. "We're not really getting a message from this that is unusual or different from what we've been expecting for the last 6 months," Chris Tinker from ICAP said, adding that obviously the holiday period is very important for retailers.

"Whilst this liquidity is in the market, the market continues to rise, assets will continue to reflate. But it is important to get a reality check because this market will carry on until such time as we start paying the bill for that asset reflation," Andy Hartwill from Quasar said Thursday.