Stock indexes showed little movement in early trading on Wednesday as investors eagerly anticipated Nvidia’s earnings report later in the day. Additionally, the minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting were scheduled to be released.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 remained flat, while the Nasdaq saw a slight increase of less than 0.1%. Trading volume on the NYSE was higher compared to the day before, but lower on the Nasdaq. Declining stocks outnumbered advancing ones on both exchanges.
Tech stocks like Salesforce and Microsoft led gains in the Dow, while Apple, Intel, and Verizon Communications also saw positive movement. However, retail stocks like Home Depot, Nike, 3M, and Dow Inc. experienced modest declines.
Earnings reports from retailers like Target, Urban Outfitters, and TJX Cos. influenced stock movements, with Target plunging nearly 8% due to below-expectation results. Modine Manufacturing, a provider of heating and air conditioning systems, also saw a sell signal after disappointing earnings.
Chip stocks like Analog Devices and retailer Williams-Sonoma posted positive results, with both companies exceeding sales and earnings expectations. Google parent Alphabet took a pause after a seven-day rally, while Nvidia’s earnings were eagerly awaited.
Overall, the stock market showed mixed movements on Wednesday, with certain sectors seeing positive gains while others experienced declines. Investors remained cautious as they waited for key earnings reports and economic updates.