WINSLOW — Century 21 Nason Realty of Winslow was recently honored at the statewide Century 21 awards rally in South Portland, according to a news release from Nason.

Nason Realty earned third place for closed units and adjusted gross commissions. They also received the Quality Service Pinnacle Office Award.

The following Nason Realty employees were also recognized:

Shelley Wehry was given the Quality Service Producer Award; Kim Moxcey and Bart Stevens were given the Quality Service Pinnacle Award; Bart Stevens and Shelley Wehry were the Tourmaline Award winners.

Kim Moxcey was also one of three agents to receive the Ruby Award and placed second for closed units.

US stocks close higheron report by retailers

NEW YORK — Stocks closed higher after applications for unemployment benefits hit a four-year low and retailers reported better February sales.

Banks dodged a big hit from the Greek debt crisis and rallied Thursday to lead the market higher. A markets panel ruled that Greece’s plan to restructure its debt should not trigger any bond-insurance payments yet.

JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America were among top gainers in the Dow Jones industrial average. The Dow rose 28 points to 12,980, a gain of 0.2 percent.

The S&P 500 index rose 8 points, or 0.6 percent, to 1,374.

The Nasdaq rose 22 points, or 0.7 percent, to 2,989.

Mattel drops claim of Bratz infringement

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Mattel Inc. appealed a $310 million award in its eight-year legal fight over Bratz dolls but will no longer pursue its claim that a rival toy maker infringed on its copyright by developing the lucrative line.

In court papers filed with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, attorneys for Mattel said the company disagreed with the jury finding that MGA Entertainment didn’t steal the idea for the pouty-lipped, hip hop-inspired dolls but wouldn’t challenge it after the grueling legal battle.

“While we continue to believe that the Bratz designs … were owned by Mattel, we’ve decided not to appeal that aspect of the verdict, because we do not wish to have another lengthy trial on the Bratz claims,” Mattel spokesman Alan Hilowitz said Thursday.

However, El Segundo-based Mattel did ask the appeals court in the papers filed this week to reverse the financial judgment entered by a judge based on a jury verdict. The award included $172 million in damages for MGA for misappropriation of trade secrets, and $137 million for MGA in legal fees and defense costs.

Compiled from staff and wire reports