U.S. markets were holding onto slight gains today, but traders were again wary as oil prices declined, and concerns about disappointing earnings reports, such as Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS), kept markets from gaining steam.  Crude oil was trading just above $45 a barrel, its lowest level since March.

On the other hand, traders were buoyed by comments made by Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powell that despite strength in the labor market, he has not made a determination yet that interest rates should be raised.

Despite Powell’s assertion of labor market strength, the ADP report came in only at 185,000 for July, far below expectations for 215,000 private sector hires. Friday’s Department of Labor jobs report will be closely watched, as it may affect what the Fed does at their September meeting.

Powell’s remarks were in contrast with remarks yesterday from Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart, who spoke to the Wall Street Journal.  Lockhart said the economy can handle an increase in short term rates and would have to deteriorate significantly for him to not want to raise rates.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished flat, while the S&P 500 was up 0.3% and the Nasdaq a stronger 0.7% higher.  Most sectors were in the green today, and technology stocks were particularly strong.

In contrast to DIS, several stocks still posted solid earnings, including Priceline Group Inc (Nasdaq:PCLN) and Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATVI).  Those two and H & R Block Inc (NYSE:HRB) were three of the best performers in the stock market today. Here’s why:

Priceline Group (PCLN)

Second-quarter earnings were the catalyst behind PCLN rising over 5% today and touching an all-time high intraday of $1,414.81.

PCLN reported Q2 EPS of $12.45 a share, ahead of the street’s view of $11.85 a share.  In addition, revenue rose 7.4% this year to $2.28 billion, ahead of the estimates of $2.27 billion.

In addition, PCLN raised its earnings guidance between $22.95 and $24.45 a share, well ahead of analysts estimates of $23.37.

Activision (ATVI)

Another stock making an all time high today was Activision Blizzard, after besting analysts’ estimates on both earnings and revenue.

ATVI was up more than 11%, after reporting second quarter earnings of 13 cents a share, far better than the 8 cents a share the street was expecting.  Non-GAAP net revenue of $759 million easily bested the street’s view for $665.5 million.

A couple of price target increases also boosted ATVI stock.  Analyst Michael Olson of Piper Jaffray Companies (NYSE:PJC) maintained an overweight rating on ATVI stock, while raising the price target from $27 to $30.  Analyst Scott Kessler of S&P Capital IQ also reiterated a hold rating on ATVI, but increased his price target from $26 to $33.

H & R Block (HRB)

But earnings weren’t the only thing driving stocks higher today.  HRB stock blasted almost 9% higher after reporting that after a long delay of 15 months, the sale of H&R Block Bank to Bofl Federal Bank  had finally been approved by regulators from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve.  Normally a bank sale can gain approval within three or four months.

But this deal was unusual.  It didn’t put money in HRB’s pocket.  Instead it will cost them $7.5 million annually, plus management fees for various programs to continue. The reason for making the deal was to free up hundreds of millions of dollars of regulatory capital that must be kept in reserve. Thus, investors cheered the completion of the deal and rewarded HRB stockholders with a very strong day.

As of this writing, Ethan Roberts does not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.