Dow, Nasdaq slip after Fed minutes, tech a weak spot

MARKETS-USA-STOCKS:Dow, Nasdaq slip after Fed minutes, tech a weak spot

new York  July 12, 2012, 2:01 IST

new York  07 12, 2012, 02:10 IST

 

The Dow and the Nasdaq lost ground o n Wednesday as minutes from the Federal Reserve's June meeting showed policymakers are open to the idea of more economic stimulus, but that conditions might need to worsen first.

The S&P 500 ended unchanged, breaking a four-day losing streak, after paring losses into the close. Technology and industrials led the S&P's losers, as the market was hit by a number of high-profile earnings warnings in recent days.

Investors were hoping the Fed's June minutes would suggest the central bank was getting closer to another round of stimulus. The lack of clues prompted selling in all three major indexes, though stocks pared losses just ahead of the close.

"A few Fed members noted additional policy action could be warranted if the economy were to lose momentum; however, it doesn't seem like anything concrete is imminent," said Michael Sheldon, chief market strategist of RDM Financial, in Westport, Connecticut.

"That, along with the FOMC's citing that risks have increased and volatility is higher, are probably the culprits for the market's afternoon swoon."

The Nasdaq was the worst performer of the three major indexes. Network gear maker Adtran Inc warned about third-quarter revenue, driving its stock down 15.4 percent to $23.01 and hitting shares of its rivals. Juniper Networks fell 1.1 percent to $14.68, and Ciena lost 7.9 percent to $14.15.

The warning followed weaker forecasts earlier this week from chipmakers, including Advanced Micro Devices . Its stock slid 2 percent to $4.89 on Wednesday.

Some analysts expect earnings disappointments from major technology companies this earnings season. They say estimates for tech names are likely to go down.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> shed 48.59 points, or 0.38 percent, to 12,604.53 at the close. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> dipped just 0.02 of a point to 1,341.45. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> slipped 14.35 points, or 0.49 percent, to 2,887.98.

It was a fifth day of losses for the Dow.

Helping to support the S&P 500 were financials, which gained after four days of losses. The financial index <.GSPF> was up 0.8 percent. Some banks, including JPMorgan Chase & Co , up 1 percent at $34.59, are due to report results on Friday.

Other earnings warnings included Hhgregg Inc , an appliance and consumer electronics retailer, which forecast a wider-than-expected loss for the first quarter and cut its full-year outlook. Its stock sank 36.4 percent to $7.34. Rival Best Buy Co Inc slumped 8.4 percent to $19.37.

Among the day's economic data, the U.S. trade deficit narrowed by 3.8 percent in May, helped by a rise in exports, including those bound for Europe and China. But economists warned it might not last.

Results from hotel chain Marriott International were due after the closing bell. Marriott's stock ended the regular trading session at $38.03, down 0.4 percent.

(Editing by Kenneth Barry and Jan Paschal)