US equity indexes traded mixed while government bond yields slumped after midday on Tuesday amid concerns that the war between Russia and Ukraine will escalate.
The S&P 500 rose 0.2% to 5,907.1, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.7% to 18,922.4 after trading lower earlier in the session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3% to 43,276.6. Technology led the gainers, while energy was the steepest decliner intraday.
Ukraine fired US-supplied longer-range missiles at Russia's Bryansk region, multiple media outlets reported, including the Associated Press. The use of the Army Tactical Missile System comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin approved changes to the country's nuclear doctrine, allowing a potential nuclear response against an attack by any nation that is backed by a nuclear power.
Most US Treasury yields fell intraday, with the 10-year down 3.5 basis points to 4.38%.
In economic news, online retail sales rose 2.6% in the US in Q3 after advancing 1.6% in the prior quarter and were up 7.4% from a year earlier, the US Census Bureau reported. The year-over-year increase beat the 2.1% gain in total retail sales over the same period.
Redbook US same-store sales rose by 5.1% from a year earlier in the week ended Nov. 16 after a 4.8% year-over-year increase in the previous week.
October housing starts fell by 3.1% from the previous month to a 1.311 million annual rate, below expectations compiled by Bloomberg for a 1.33 million rate after a decrease to a 1.353 million pace in September.
Building permits declined by 0.6% to a 1.416 million rate in October, below the 1.44 million rate expected and following a decrease to a 1.425 million rate in September. Homes permitted but not started also decreased, so the outlook is pessimistic for an improvement in housing starts next month.
In company news, Super Micro Computer's (SMCI) shares soared 29% intraday, the top performer on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. The company said it appointed BDO USA as its independent auditor, effective immediately, and submitted a plan to Nasdaq for a time extension to regain compliance with the exchange's continued listing requirements.
Walmart (WMT) lifted its full-year outlook Tuesday and reported stronger-than-expected fiscal Q3 results. Shares jumped 4% intraday, among the Dow's top gainers.
Incyte (INCY) plans to pause enrollment in the ongoing phase 2 study of MRGPRX2 (INCB000262) in chronic spontaneous urticaria. Shares of the company sank 14% intraday, the worst performer on the S&P 500.
Gold rose 0.6% to $2,629.01 an ounce. Silver rose 0.1% to $31.26 an ounce.
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