Markets Right Now: Stocks end little changed on Wall Street

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The latest on developments in financial markets (All times local):

4:00 p.m.

Stocks ended little changed as a stretch of listless trading continues.

Bond yields and the dollar resumed their moves higher Wednesday.

Steel maker Nucor gained 3.7 per cent and Fastenal, which sells nuts, bolts and other equipment, jumped 5.8 per cent after turning in a strong earnings report.

Retailers fell broadly after Target reported weak holiday sales. Target fell 5.8 per cent, Dollar Tree slumped 2.8 per cent and Macy’s fell 1.5 per cent.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 4 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 2,271.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 22 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 19,804, held back by a big drop in UnitedHealth.

The Nasdaq composite rose 16 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 5,555.

Bond prices fell sharply. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.42 per cent.

___

11:45 a.m.

Stocks are mixed in midday trading on Wall Street, as gains in materials and industrial companies were offset by weakness elsewhere.

Steel maker Nucor gained 3 per cent Wednesday and Fastenal, which makes nuts, bolts and other equipment, jumped 5 per cent after turning in a strong earnings report.

Retailers were broadly lower after Target reported weak holiday sales. Target fell 5.1 per cent, Dollar Tree slumped 2.7 per cent and Macy’s fell 2.6 per cent.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index was up 1 point at 2,268.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 30 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 19,791. A big drop in UnitedHealth held the Dow back.

The Nasdaq composite was little changed at 5,538.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.37 per cent.

___

9:35 a.m.

Stocks are opening mostly lower on Wall Street, led by declines in retailers after Target cut its profit and sales projections.

Target slumped 5 per cent in early trading Wednesday after saying its holiday season sales were weak. Other retailers also fell. Kohl’s slumped 4 per cent and Macy’s and Dollar Tree each lost 2 per cent.

Energy companies were also falling along with the price of crude oil. Transocean was down 2 per cent in early trading.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index was down 1 point at 2,267.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 60 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 19,7686. The Nasdaq composite edged up 7 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 5,545.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.36 per cent.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today