Markets Right Now: Stocks end barely higher in quiet trading

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

4 p.m.

Stock indexes are ending barely higher on Wall Street after a day of quiet, post-holiday trading.

Technology and health care stocks helped pull the market slightly higher Wednesday. Facebook rose 0.9 percent and Western Digital climbed 1.2 percent.

Homebuilders notched gains following a report showing pending U.S. home sales edged up last month. Hovnanian rose 2.1 percent.

Energy stocks declined as crude oil prices headed lower. ConocoPhillips fell 1.1 percent.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 2 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,682.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 28 points, or 0.1 percent, to 24,774. The Nasdaq composite rose 3 points, or 0.04 percent, to 6,939.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 2.41 percent.

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11:45 a.m.

U.S. stock indexes edged higher in light trading, recouping some of their modest losses from a day earlier.

Technology and health care stocks were among the biggest gainers Wednesday.

Homebuilders notched gains following a report showing pending U.S. home sales edged up last month. Energy stocks declined as crude oil prices headed lower.

Callaway Golf fell 5.8 percent after the company said it invested another $20 million in entertainment company Topgolf, giving it a 14 percent stake.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 2 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,682.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 23 points, or 0.1 percent, to 24,770. The Nasdaq composite rose 8 points, or 0.1 percent, to 6,944.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 2.43 percent.

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9:35 a.m.

Stocks are off to a mixed start as gains for health care and consumer products companies are offset by losses in energy stocks and banks.

Johnson & Johnson added 0.7 percent in early trading Wednesday while Bank of America fell 0.5 percent.

Callaway Golf fell 5.9 percent after the company said it invested another $20 million in entertainment company Topgolf, giving it a 14 percent stake.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 1 point, or 0.1 percent, to 2,682.

The Dow Jones industrials was little changed at 24,749. The Nasdaq composite was up 5 points, or 0.1 percent, to 6,941.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 2.45 percent.