U.S. Stocks Drift In Midday Trading, Holding Near Record Highs

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. financial markets drifted between small gains and losses in midday trading Wednesday as investors sifted through the latest corporate earnings news. Traders also were monitoring a second day of Congressional testimony by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen. Oil prices rebounded after an early slide.

 

KEEPING SCORE: The Dow Jones industrial average rose 18 points, or 0.1 percent, to 18,227 as of 12:10 p.m. Eastern. The Standard & Poor's 500 index was up less than one point at 2,115. The Nasdaq composite added four points, or 0.1 percent, to 4,972.

- Sponsors -

 

FED FACTOR: The Dow and S&P 500 closed at record highs on Tuesday after investors were encouraged by remarks from Yellen suggesting that the Fed was not in a hurry to raise interest rates. Yellen noted that the job market is still healing and inflation is low. Lower interest rates make borrowing easier and tend to be a plus for financial markets.

 

- Partner Content -

Sunni LeBeouf

Black History Month Spotlight This Black History Month, Cox Communications is proud to recognize Sunni LeBeouf for her prolific record of professional achievement, civic philanthropy,...

THE QUOTE: "The second day of the Fed chair's congressional testimony tends to be a repeat of the first day, so I'm not sure we'll get new information," said David Lebovitz, global market strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. "The market hit a high, so people are consolidating a little bit."

 

BIG DECLINERS: Chesapeake Energy slumped 9.7 percent after the natural gas company's fourth-quarter results missed analysts' expectations. The stock was among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500, sliding $1.92 to $17.95.

- Sponsors -

 

CONTROL, ALT, DELETE: Hewlett-Packard tumbled 9.5 percent a day after the computer and printer maker reported fiscal first-quarter sales that fell short of Wall Street's forecasts. The stock lost $3.67 to $34.82.

 

CREAKY RESULTS: Shares in Lumber Liquidators Holdings slid 17.2 percent after it reported fourth-quarter results that came in below analysts' expectations. The hardwood floors retailer fell $11.86 to $56.92.

 

FALLING FLAT: Boston Beer tumbled 16.8 percent after the brewer of Samuel Adams beer reported worse-than-expected fourth-quarter results late Tuesday. It also issued a disappointing financial outlook. The stock lost $52.31 to $258.40.

 

IMPROVING, TOO: A day after Home Depot posted strong earnings, rival home-improvement retailer Lowe's said its profit and revenue increased in the fourth quarter. Lowe's was down 51 cents to $74.14.

 

DOLLAR DOES IT: Shares in Discount retailer Dollar Tree rose 3.1 percent after the company reported fiscal fourth-quarter results that surpassed Wall Street's expectations. The stock rose $2.43 to $79.90.

 

SECTOR VIEW: Half of the 10 sectors in the S&P 500 moved lower, with utilities stocks sliding the most. Consumer discretionary stocks led among the gainers.

 

OVERSEAS MARKETS: In Europe, France's CAC 40 was down 0.1 percent, while Germany's DAX was flat. The FTSE 100 index of leading British shares fell 0.2 percent from its record closing high on Tuesday. In Asia, Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 edged down 0.1 percent, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.3 percent. Hong Kong Hang Seng gained 0.1 percent. South Korea's Kospi added 0.7 percent.

 

ENERGY: Benchmark U.S. crude oil rose 71 cents to $49.99 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It fell 17 cents on Tuesday to $49.28.

 

BONDS: U.S. government bond prices were little changed. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 1.99 percent from 1.98 percent late Tuesday.

         – by AP Reporter Alex Veiga

 

 

Digital Sponsors / Become a Sponsor

Follow the issues, companies and people that matter most to business in New Orleans.

Email Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter