Markets Right Now: Stocks waver; market nears bull record

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

11:45 a.m.

Stocks are wavering between small gains and losses as the U.S. market is poised to mark its longest bull run in history.

The S&P 500 is on track to record its longest bull market Wednesday, beating the bull market of the 1990s.

Retailers were in focus again and several of them were moving after reporting their latest quarterly results. Target rose 4.8 per cent and Lowe’s jumped 7.5 per cent.

Hartford Financial Services fell 4.2 per cent after announcing an acquisition.

The S&P 500 index rose 3 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 2,866.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 16 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 25,805. The Nasdaq composite rose 30 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 7,889.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.83 per cent.

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9:35 a.m.

Stocks are off to a mixed start on Wall Street as the U.S. market is poised to reach its longest-ever bull run.

Retailers were in focus again early Wednesday and several of them were moving after reporting their latest quarterly results.

Target rose 4.5 per cent and Lowe’s jumped 8.1 per cent after both released earnings that came in ahead of analysts’ forecasts.

Hartford Financial Services fell 3.6 per cent after announcing an acquisition.

The S&P 500 index fell 1 point to 2,861.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 8 points to 25,828. The Nasdaq composite rose 7 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 7,866.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.82 per cent.