Markets Right Now: US stocks drift mostly lower; Dow gains

NEW YORK – The latest on developments in financial markets (All times local):

4:00 p.m.

U.S. stock indexes ended mostly lower, except for the Dow Jones industrial average, which climbed slightly a day after closing above 20,000 for the first time.

Health care and consumer products companies fell the most Thursday. Johnson & Johnson fell 0.9 per cent and Coca-Cola each fell 0.7 per cent.

It’s a big day for company earnings.

Paint maker Sherwin-Williams jumped 7.6 per cent after reporting earnings that beat analysts’ forecasts.

Mattel plunged 17.6 per cent after reporting slower toy sales over the holidays.

The Dow, which tracks 30 big industrial companies, edged up 32 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 20,100.

Broader indexes were mixed. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 1 point, or 0.1 per cent, to 2,296. The Nasdaq composite also fell 1 point to 5,655.

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11:45 a.m.

U.S. stock indexes are drifting mostly lower in midday trading, a day after the Dow Jones industrial average closed above 20,000 for the first time.

Technology stocks are down the most, while financial companies are rising.

It’s a big day for company earnings. Among those reporting solid results, paint maker Sherwin-Williams jumped 9 per cent after reporting earnings and revenue that easily beat analysts’ forecasts.

Mattel sank 16 per cent after reporting a big slowdown of toy sales over the holidays.

The Dow, which tracks 30 big industrial companies, rose 43 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 20,111.

Broader indexes fell. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell a fraction to 2,298. The Nasdaq composite also fell a fraction to 5,656.

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9:35 a.m.

Stocks are opening slightly higher on Wall Street a day after the Dow Jones industrial average closed above 20,000 for the first time.

Energy stocks rose more than the rest of the market early Thursday as the price of oil gained 2 per cent.

Southwestern Energy gained 3.1 per cent and Chesapeake Energy rose 2.2 per cent.

It’s a big day for company earnings. Among those reporting solid results, paint maker Sherwin-Williams jumped 6 per cent after reporting earnings and revenue that easily beat analysts’ forecasts.

Mattel sank 13 per cent after reporting a big slowdown of toy sales over the holidays.

The Dow rose 21 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 20,089. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 1 point to 2,299. The Nasdaq composite rose 12 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 5,668.