Markets Right Now: US stocks close higher

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

4:05 p.m.

U.S. stock indexes closed slightly higher Wednesday as gains in banks were partly outweighed by a slump in energy companies.

Technology stocks also rose.

Retailer Duluth Holdings slumped after reporting disappointing earnings.

Crude oil prices fell sharply following an unexpected buildup in supplies last week. That helped send energy stocks lower, including rig operator Transocean.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 4 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,433.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 37 points, or 0.2 percent, to 21,174. The Nasdaq composite increased 22 points, or 0.4 percent, to 6,297.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.18 percent.

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11:45 a.m.

U.S. stock indexes inched higher in midday trading as gains in banks were partly outweighed by a slump in energy companies.

Technology stocks also rose Wednesday. Chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices gained 6.9 percent, the biggest gain in the Standard & Poor's 500 index.

Retailer Duluth Holdings slumped 19 percent after reporting disappointing earnings.

Crude oil prices fell sharply following an unexpected buildup in supplies last week. That helped send energy stocks lower. Rig operator Transocean dropped 4.7 percent.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 1 point, or 0.1 percent, to 2,430.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 16 points, or 0.1 percent, to 21,151. The Nasdaq composite increased 19 points, or 0.3 percent, to 6,294.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.17 percent.

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9:35 a.m.

Technology and health care stocks are leading U.S. market indexes slightly higher in early trading on Wall Street.

Chip maker Advanced Micro Devices gained 3.7 percent early Wednesday, the biggest gain in the Standard & Poor's 500 index. Centene, a health insurer, rose 1.8 percent.

Retailer Duluth Holdings slumped 15 percent after reporting disappointing earnings.

Crude oil prices fell. U.S. benchmark crude fell 1 percent. That helped send energy stocks lower.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 4 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,433.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 35 points, or 0.2 percent, to 21,171. The Nasdaq composite increased 21 points, or 0.3 percent, to 6,296.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.16 percent.