Major United States benchmark averages finished in a mixed fashion on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT), with the S&P 500 snapping a four-day losing streak.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 188 points, or 0.4%, to 43,433.1, the S&P 500 finished flat at 5,956.1, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.3%, finishing at 19,075.3.
Nvidia shares climbed 3.7% during regular trade as investors awaited the company's fourth-quarter earnings release, with results coming in above expectations, while the company provided strong guidance for the current quarter.
Investor sentiment wavered as concerns over U.S. trade policy resurfaced. President Donald Trump confirmed that tariffs against Canada and Mexico would be implemented, and he signalled plans to expand trade restrictions to include a 25% tariff on European Union imports.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq had recorded their fourth straight daily declines in the previous session, weighed down by disappointing economic data.
A weaker-than-expected consumer confidence reading from the Conference Board, coupled with soft retail sales figures and declining consumer sentiment, fuelled concerns about the economy’s outlook.
For the week, the S&P 500 is down nearly 1%, while the Nasdaq has dropped 2.3%. The Dow remains little changed.
On the bond markets, 10-year and 2-year rates were 1% and 0.6% lower at 4.256% and 4.076%, respectively.
