Investing.com – U.S. stocks closed mixed on Wednesday, after a major sell-off during the previous session, as investors mulled over the upcoming healthcare vote while weaker than expected economic data dampened sentiment.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.03% lower at 20,662. The S&P 500 rose 0.19% and the Nasdaq Composite closed at 5,821 up 0.48%.
The three main U.S. indexes mostly traded mixed throughout the session, as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq held firm while the Dow, which closed nearly 240 points lower in the previous session, struggled for upward momentum.
Investors continued to fret over a key House vote to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act on Thursday, fearing that a negative outcome would further delay the introduction of the Trump Administration’s pro-growth policies such as tax-reform.
House Republicans plan to vote on their bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act on Thursday.
Elsewhere, weaker than expected existing home sales weighed on sentiment as, The National Association of Realtors said on Wednesday existing home sales declined 3.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.48 million units last month.
Economist had expected existing home sales to slow to 2%.
In corporate news, shares of Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE) tumbled to a five-week low of $53.77, after the sports brand apparel retailer posted its fiscal third quarter earnings, which missed Wall Street’s estimates.
The top S&P 500 gainers included Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) up 3.4%, and Ventas Inc (NYSE:VTR) up 2.8%, while FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) added 2.7%.
Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE) down 7.1%, Transdigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG) down 4.5% and Mallinckrodt (NYSE:MNK) slumped 3.4%, were among the worst S&P 500 performers of the session.