U.S. Stocks Erase Gains, Turn Negative

After a choppy but mostly positive morning on Wednesday U.S. stocks turned south, erasing gains and trading lower on the day. It appeared that investors were consolidating sharp gains from the previous few sessions, that had sent the S&P 500 above its 200-day moving average, a key level. Utilities and consumer staples sectors were higher, suggesting nervousness as investors were attracted by defensive plays. The S&P 500 was up a point at 1,941.68. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 35 points, or 0.2%, to 16,579. The Nasdaq Composite ticked down 4 points, or 0.1%, to 4,415.