The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite closed marginally higher Wednesday as traders assessed the latest economic data and remarks by a Federal Reserve official.
The Dow and the technology-heavy Nasdaq rose 0.1% each to 42,196.5 and 17,925.1, respectively. The S&P 500 was little changed at 5,709.5. Energy led the gainers among sectors, while consumer discretionary and consumer staples saw the steepest declines.
In economic news, employment growth in the US private sector accelerated in September, while wage growth cooled, data from Automatic Data Processing (ADP) showed.
"One should never put too much into the monthly ADP report," TS Lombard said in a note. "That it came in above expectations raises the probability that the (Bureau of Labor Statistics) numbers on Friday will fall short."
Data from the BLS are expected to show the US economy added 150,000 nonfarm jobs last month, which would mark an acceleration from the 142,000 gain posted for August, according to a survey compiled by Bloomberg.
Mortgage applications in the US declined last week as higher interest rates drove refinance activity lower, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.
The US 10-year yield rose four basis points to 3.78%, while the two-year rate gained 1.4 basis points to 3.64%.
Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin said inflation and the labor market in the US continue to pose "significant uncertainty," with annual core prices unlikely to fall much further until next year.
Last month, the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee lowered its benchmark lending rate by 50 basis points, its first cut since March 2020.
"As we decide how fast to move and how far to go during this rate-reduction cycle, we are just going to need to be attentive and learn as we go," Barkin said Wednesday.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil increased 1.6% to $70.96 a barrel. Commercial crude stockpiles in the US posted a surprise build last week, government data showed.
Crude futures logged bigger gains Tuesday amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
In company news, Caesars Entertainment (CZR) said it plans to offer $1 billion of senior notes due 2032 in a private placement. The company's shares rose 5.3%, the top gainer on the S&P 500.
Humana (HUM) shares plunged nearly 12%, the worst performer on the S&P 500. The health insurer said that the number of members enrolled in 2025 Medicare Advantage plans with a quality rating of at least four stars is expected to plunge, likely affecting its 2026 revenue and bonus payments.
Nike (NKE) saw the biggest decline on the Dow and one of the steepest on the S&P 500, down 6.8%. Late Tuesday, the sportswear giant withdrew its full-year guidance and postponed its investor day following the appointment of a new chief executive announced last month. The company's fiscal Q1 results fell year over year.
Gold dropped 0.4% to $2,679.90 per troy ounce, while silver rose 1.1% to $32.1 per ounce.
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